At Sentencing, Remorseful Defendant wants to Give Back to His Community

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced Kenneth Stokes to 60 months in prison on June 5 for his involvement in a shooting.

Stokes, 23, pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, carrying a pistol without a license, and criminally negligent storage of a firearm, for his involvement in a shooting that injured a dog on Dec. 27, 2024 on the unit block of Galveston Street, SW, and another incident that injured a child.

Neither party had any additional information to present to Judge Hertzfeld at the time of the hearing. However, Stokes’ attorney, Susan Borecki, spoke of Stokes’ remorse over the events and wishes to give back to his community.

Borecki explained that Stokes feels horrible about the actions that he took and that he holds no ill will towards the dog or the little girl who was injured due to his recklessness. Stokes takes full accountability and was asking for a three month incarceration with community service after.

Judge Hertzfeld emphasized the magnitude of Stokes’ negligence and how lucky everyone was that it didn’t turn out worse. She argued that despite no one being killed during the incidents, Stokes put multiple children at risk and had little regard for the dog. However, Judge Hertzfel did acknowledge and respect that Stokes owned up to his actions.

In closing, Judge Herzfel disagreed with the short incarceration time suggested by the defense but agreed to community service after the time had been served.

No further dates were set.