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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- June 26, 2018
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man to 45 years for his role in a 2014 murder.
James Young was charged with first-degree murder while armed and armed robbery in connection with a drug deal. He and Tyrone Height shot Willard Shelton on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE in 2014. Instead of being sentenced together, Height requested a change in counsel. He said he wanted to hire a private attorney. The judge scheduled his sentencing on July 13 to give the new lawyer time to review the case.
A jury convicted Young of first-degree murder while armed, obstruction of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm, tampering with evidence, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed and first-degree burglary while armed.
Shelton’s family delivered impact statements that spoke to the man the victim was and how milestones, such as high school graduations, will no longer be as special because Shelton is not their to celebrate with them.
“I read their letters […] it hurt me,” Young told DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee, requesting to be sent to a prison near his family.
The defense took the opportunity to explain the punishments that Young, 25, will experience while he’s in prison. He said that Young will miss his daughter’s whole life, that he will miss her first communion, birthdays and graduations.
Young’s parents sent DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee a letter that spoke to Young’s character. During the sentencing, Young’s father told the judge that his son had changed for the better during the time he has been incarcerated.
“I’ve heard that you’re a good man, a decent man, [but] you weren’t on that day,” Judge Lee told Young. “You could have done better.” After Young’s prison term, he will also be required to serve five years on supervised release.