Defense Counsel Surprised by Pre-Preliminary Plea Deal

By - October 30, 2023
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting |

On Oct. 30, DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park presided over a status hearing during which a non-fatal shooting defendant rejected a plea deal. 

Deon Jenkins, 45, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, felony possession of a firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon outside the home or business with a prior felony, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of a destructive device for his alleged involvement in an exchange of gunfire on June 5 on the 1200 block of 18th Place, NE. 

Jenkins is allegedly seen on surveillance footage running through an alleyway before shooting at a vehicle the defendant claims was driving towards him.

According to court documents, Jenkins was later located by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with gunshot wounds to both legs and right hand on the 1700 block of M Street, NE.  No injuries were reported. 

When asked by Judge Park if a plea offer was ever on the table, defense counsel Lauren Morehouse said she did not believe so, but the prosecution disagreed. 

The prosecution said they’d made an offer before the preliminary hearing that would have allowed Jenkins to plead guilty to felony unlawful possession of a firearm with all other indictment charges being dismissed. 

Morehouse discussed the plea offer with her client, but Jenkins quickly rejected it, standing by the alleged self-defense aspects of this case. 

Morehouse requested extensive so-called Brady materials to be disclosed, specifically the information regarding Jenkins’ shooting. This kind of information includes material evidence that is often favorable for the defense. 

A trial date is set for April 2024. 

Parties are expected to return on April 5 for a trial readiness hearing.