Defendant ‘Accepts the Consequences’ of His ActionS During Sentencing

By Kasey Nguyen [former] - September 18, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 15, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced Collin Potter to 16 years in prison with five years of supervised release. 

Potter, 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in aggravating circumstances for his involvement in the fatal stabbing of Vongell Lugo, 36 on Feb. 3. Potter stabbed Lugo 42 times on Jan. 6, 2019, on the 2800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Potter and Lugo are alleged to have been in an intimate relationship. 

During the sentencing, Lugo’s mother, sister, brother, and close friends delivered nine victim impact statements, describing Lugo as “fun-loving, energetic, caring, supportive, and compassionate.” 

A close family friend expressed that Lugo was “cruelly murdered” and the defendant “deserves a punishment of more than 16 years” during her impact statement. 

Lugo’s sister and multiple family friends indicated to the court that they “fear for the LGBTQ+ community” prompting them to ask Judge Demeo to reconsider Potter’s sentence because they believe he is a danger to society. 

Potter expressed his remorse in his final statements by explaining that he accepts the consequences of his actions and deserves punishment for his crimes. 

Judge Demeo recommended that Potter undergo mental health treatment, trauma-informed substance-use treatment, and trauma-informed sexual assault treatment while he serves his sentencing.