Defendant Pleads Guilty to Murder

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A defendant charged in connection with a homicide from last summer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

In the early hours of July 12, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 800 block of 19th Street, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to court documents. They found 28-year-old Shanika Williams in an apartment with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. She was pronounced dead on scene.

Last February, Steven Robinson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. According to court documents, the 30-year-old defendant was in a romantic relationship with Williams.

During the June 9 hearing, Robinson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

As part of the plea deal he took, prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 10-12 years.

Defense attorney Matthew Davies asked Judge Neal Kravitz to release his client so he can see his family before he is sentenced on Sept. 3. However, Judge Kravitz agreed with the prosecution that the case was too serious for Robinson to be released.