Convicted Murderer Shows ‘No Remorse,’ Judge Says During Sentencing

By Alayna Stein [former] - March 29, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a March 24 sentencing hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced Darnell Sterling to 27 years in prison.

Darnell Sterling, 57, was convicted of murdering 34-year-old Olga Ooro in her apartment on the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. According to court documents, the crime  occurred on July 17, 2020, and authorities were alerted the next day when Ooro’s 7-year-old son was found in her apartment building alone. 

A jury found Sterling guilty of contempt and second-degree murder on Oct. 3, 2022, and Judge Raffinan later determined that both of these crimes occurred during Sterling’s release in a 2020 domestic violence case that also involved Ooro. 

The prosecution submitted nine victim impact statements, and Ooro’s family and friends appeared both in-person and virtually for the Friday sentencing. 

Ooro’s father had tears in his eyes as he recalled how his “brave” daughter helped him through his Parkinson’s diagnosis. 

“He has not only killed Olga. He has killed us. He has killed our whole family,” the victim’s father said.

Then, turning directly to Sterling, he stated, “You killed me.”

Ooro requested that Judge Raffinan impose the maximum sentence on Sterling. 

Sterling maintained his innocence and plans to appeal the conviction.

Judge Raffinan said she took into consideration the impact statements, as well as Sterling’s extensive criminal history, including 34 arrests and 14 convictions, when making her decision. 

She noted the many “tragic and disturbing factors” in the case.

“[Sterling’s] statements,” Judge Raffinan said, “show no indication of remorse.”

She sentenced Sterling to 22 years in prison for second-degree murder and 20 months for contempt, with an additional 20 consecutive months for each of the offenses, which were committed while Sterling was on release.