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By
Ankush Dwivedi
- April 15, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Shooting
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Murder defendant, Rafeal Stevens, 40, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on April 14.
Stevens was also convicted of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in the shooting of 50-year-old Aniekobo Umoh on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2000 Block of 7th Street, NE.
Stevens was acquitted of four counts including assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on Nov. 13, 2024. A jury found him not guilty of first-and-second-degree murder on Nov. 15, 2024.
During the hearing, Stevens’ attorney, Jason Tulley, said Stevens will admit guilt to voluntary manslaughter, and in exchange the prosecution would dismiss the remaining counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence.
Additionally, the government will not bring any charges of perjury against Stevens for his testimony in a previous hearing. The parties agreed to eight years of incarceration to run concurrent with a prior conviction of unlawful possession of firearm during crime of violence.
Judge Edelman informed Stevens that he no longer has the right to a jury trial and that he is no longer able to appeal the outcome of his case.
Before accepting the plea agreement, Judge Edelman said he needed to look at the pre-sentencing report and the sentencing guidelines.
Parties are set to reconvene July 11.