On June 23, a defendant in a homicide case rejected a plea offer from the prosecution, opting instead to proceed with trial.
Jaykell Mason, 22, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed in connection to the death of 29-year-old Terence Dantzler. The incident occurred on Feb. 13, 2020, on the 700 block of 8th Street, NW. Metropolitan Police Department officials discovered Dantzler after responding to a report of a shooting.
Defense attorney John Armstrong stood in for Mason’s regular lawyer, Roderick Thompson.
If the offer was accepted, Mason’s charges would have reduced to two counts of second-degree murder while armed and one count of felony assault on a police officer while armed.
DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee scheduled a trial for March 4, 2024.
Mason is set for a status hearing on Dec. 9.
