Co-defendants Plead Guilty to 2016 Homicide

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During a status hearing Oct. 1, co-defendants in a murder case entered a plea agreement with the prosecution.

Justin Robinson and Kevin Grover were charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other charges, for their involvement in the shooting of 22-year-old Demetrius Medlay on the 3100 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE in 2016.

According to a proffer of facts, Medlay was leaving Smiley Mart, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, when he and Robinson, 19, bumped shoulders on the street. The two argued and Robinson ultimately got in his car and left. Apparently, Robinson came back with a gun, saw Medlay and told him “ya’ll better not be here when I get back.”

Shortly after, Grover, 26, arrived on Martin Luther King Avenue, approached a crowd of people, including Medlay, and asked “Who just got into it with my man?” Medlay responded that he didn’t know. Grover then followed Medlay and shot him twice in the chest.

Per the terms of the plea agreement, Robinson pleaded guilty to assault with the intent to kill and in return, the prosecution agreed to waive Robinson’s other charges. Robinson could be sentenced to three to seven years in prison if DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff accepts the plea.

Grover pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and the prosecution agreed to drop his remaining charges as well. Grover could face between 16 and 20 years in prison if Judge Bartnoff decides to accept his plea.

Grover and Robinson are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 14.