During a preliminary hearing on July 11, a defendant pleaded guilty to murdering a man in April.
David Hackney, 59, pleaded guilty to second-degree-murder while armed for stabbing Chester Belfield on the 1000 block of Southern Avenue, SE on April 13.
According to court documents, a witness observed the defendant in verbal confrontation with the victim. The verbal confrontation turned into a physical altercation outside of a gas station. Another witness recorded the incident on his phone, which shows the defendant chasing the victim with a knife and then stabbing him.
Hackney’s defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, said the defendant is willing to accept the prosecution’s plea offer for a 15-year sentence. Initially, Hackney was charged with first-degree-murder while armed. According to the voluntary sentencing guidelines of the District of Columbia, he could have faced up to 60 years in prison for the charge.
Judge Milton C. Lee said he would make his decision on a sentencing period after all pre-trial reports are submitted.
A status hearing is set for Sept. 27.
