A homicide defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Aug. 14 in connection to a deadly arson spree.
D’Aundrey Scott, 32, was originally charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and two counts of arson for his involvement in setting several buildings and people on fire on May 13, 2020. Darryl Finney, 62, died on May 15, 2020, as a result of Scott setting him on fire on the 900 block of H Street, NE.
Scott was also charged in connection to the burning of another victim who survived on the 1300 block of H Street, NE, and setting two buildings on fire on the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE.
During the hearing, Jesse Winograd, Scott’s attorney, alerted Judge Edelman of his intent to accept a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, arson, and destruction of property, in exchange for the prosecution dismissing all other charges.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 15-to-34 years of imprisonment.
According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would’ve proven that Scott approached Finney, who was sleeping on the sidewalk, and ignited a flammable object, throwing it onto Finney before splashing more flammable liquid on him. He succumbed to his injuries two days later at a hospital.
Judge Edelman found a factual basis for the charges and stated Scott accepted guilt knowingly and voluntarily, despite him previously seeking evaluations for a possible insanity defense.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 23 for sentencing.
