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By
Keirah Chen
- January 27, 2025
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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A homicide defendant pleaded guilty on Jan. 24 before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park at a status hearing.
Wyatt Swan, 48, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the Oct. 1, 2024, fatal shooting of 53-year-old Teresa Francisco on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.
According to the prosecution, Francisco attempted to flee after Swan shot her in an apartment, leaving a trail of blood to the parking lot. The prosecution asserted that Francisco then hid from Swan in an unlocked van where he found her and shot her again multiple times. Swan then fled in his car and Francisco was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the hearing, Todd Baldwin, Swan’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to accept a deal, which required Swan to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.
Judge Park told Swan that he would have to register as a gun offender for at least two years after his supervised release.
The sentencing is set for March 21.