Courthouse Brawl Breaks Out Between Families After Murder Hearing

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 22, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A brawl broke out between the family of a victim and the family of a murder defendant after the defendant pleaded guilty. 

Davon R. Peyton, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder while armed, attempted robbery while armed and arson in an unrelated incident for shooting 24-year-old Devon Miler and 27-year-old Lekelefac Fonge  on the 1600 block of Rosedale Street, NE Oct. 9. Peyton was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed. 

After the hearing, both families exited the courtroom. Almost immediately, screams began to echo down the hallway as several members of each family started to fight.

Court marshals flooded the hallways and separated the family members.

Multiple men were apprehended as they continued to yell threats at each other.

“You killed an autistic man,” one of the victims’ family members yelled at a man who was handcuffed.

The cause of the fight is unknown.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe said he did not forsee the altercation coming as both families were calm in the courtroom.

During a preliminary hearing on Nov. 22, Peyton’s defense counsel, Judith Pipe, told the court he would take a plea deal. 

According to the terms of the plea agreement, Peyton could face up to 24 years in prison with five years of supervised release. 

Peyton is scheduled for a sentencing on Feb. 14,  2020.