Defendant Accepts Plea Deal in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

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On Jan. 16, a non-fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors in front of DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

Ernest Conyeir, 34, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a shooting on Oct. 18, 2023, on the 1500 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The incident left one individual suffering from gunshot wounds.

According to court documents, the shooting occurred after a verbal altercation between Conyeir and the victim. The victim was shot in their right forearm and left shin, and walked to a medical center where he received treatment.

During the hearing, Conyeir accepted a deal that required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. He was also required to plead guilty to armed robbery in connection to an unrelated matter.

Based on the deal, parties agreed to a seven-and-a-half to nine-year range for sentencing.

“In the end, it’s not going to matter that much as your sentence is going to be seven-and-a-half years if I accept this agreement,” Judge Lebovitz said, referencing the sentencing guidelines for the original charges.

Conyeir will also be required to register as a gun offender.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 8.

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