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By
Allyson Nelles
, Keirah Chen - January 22, 2025
Carjacking
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a defendant to 13-and-a-half years for his involvement in manslaughter on Jan. 17.
On Aug. 2, 2024, Delonte Jackson, 25, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Artavarn Wagner on March 3, 2022, on the 1700 block of Gales Street, NE.
Through the deal, the parties agreed to a sentence of 13-and-a-half years of imprisonment.
Megan Allburn, Jackson’s attorney, argued for leniency based on the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows for a young defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements. She mentioned Jackson’s troubled childhood and learning challenges, as well as a severe brain injury that came to light after he was arrested.
Allburn stressed that Jackon is a different person than he was when he committed the crime, citing his remorse for the victim and his family. Becoming a parent has also changed his appreciation for human life.
“I’m deeply sorry that we’re even here and that Delonte is on that side of the fence. I could make all these excuses but I do not want to take away from that,” Jackson’s mother stated. “He made a bad decision and that does not determine his future.”
The prosecution called Wagner’s aunt, who raised him since childhood and considered herself his mother, to comment on the sentencing. She argued Jackson had no regard for human life and expressed remorse only after he was caught, pressing Judge Brandt to give him a longer sentence to keep him from killing again.
“[Jackson] thought it was a joke. He thought taking someone’s human life was fun,” Wagner’s aunt said.
The prosecution also asked the court to reject the request for a sentence under the YRA, and take all evidence including the DNA evidence, cameras, and GPS records into account.
Judge Brandt, rejecting the request for the YRA, told Jackson that her sentence would have been much stronger if both parties had not agreed to the specific sentence through the deal. As part of his sentence, Jackson must register as a gun offender.
“Even young children know the difference between right and wrong. No one held a gun to your head and told you to jack a car and then shoot the car’s owner,” Judge Brandt said.
No further dates were set for the case.