Defendant Sentenced to More than 13 Years in Homicide Case

By Isabella Quink [former] - March 24, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee sentenced a defendant in a homicide case to 160 months in prison during a March 23 hearing.

Jonathan Young, 38, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Dewayne Shorter, 22, on the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE on Jan. 26, 2021.

Young accepted a plea deal on Dec. 21, 2022, to one count of voluntary manslaughter. 

Shorter’s mother, sister, and the mother of his four-year old child read emotional statements asking for the maximum sentence allowed by the plea agreement, 16 years in prison, Shorter’s family was seen in the gallery wearing face-masks and t-shirts with Shorter’s photo on them.

Defense attorney Brian McDaniel argued for the minimum sentence, eight ad a half years in prison. He said Young turned himself in, and has shown remorse by accepting the plea deal.

“This is a good person who made a bad decision,” McDaniel said.

“This bad decision is one of the worst one’s a person can make,” replied the prosecution.

The sentencing led to emotional outbursts between supporters of the victim as well as Young. Several were told to leave the courtroom. Multiple court marshals were brought in to handle the situation.

In addition to the 160 months in prison, Young will have to register as a gun offender, undergo random drug testing, and will have five years of supervised release.

“When one acts to take a life, the price must be significant,” Judge Lee said.