Defendant Faces 8.5 to 12 Year Sentence After Taking Plea for Voluntary Manslaughter

By Bersabel Ephrem [former] - February 21, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb. 17, a homicide defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a dangerous weapon in two separate case before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

In one case, Alexis Hawkins, 46, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed on Aug. 14, 2022, in connection to the murder of 41-year-old Cynthia Stewart on the 3900 block of 4th Street, SE. In another she was charged with the non-fatal stabbing of another woman on July 13, 2022, on the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

According to a proffer of facts, on July 13, 2022, Hawkins was involved in a verbal disagreement with a woman in the hallway of an apartment building. The defendant pursued the victim after she turned to leave and stabbed her in the shoulder.

In the other incident on Aug. 14, the victim was inside of a residence with two other people when the defendant stormed into the home and began to argue with Stewart.The verbal disagreement evolved to a fist fight and Hawkins then obtained a knife and began to stab the victim. Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene.

As part of the plea deal, the prosecution stated they would not indict Hawkins on any other matters.

According to defense attorney Damon Catacalos, he informed Hawkins that the maximum sentence for an assault with a deadly weapon offense is 10 years in prison and the maximum sentence for voluntary manslaughter is 30 years in prison.

The parties agreed on a 8.5-12 year sentence range.

The sentencing was scheduled for May 12.