An elderly defendant rejected a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Dec. 19.
Michael Garrett, 70, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, first-degree burglary, attempted first-degree burglary, and three counts of destruction of property for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of 71-year-old Sylvia Matthews on Dec. 3, 2021 on the unit block of Elmira Street, SW.
Matthews succumbed to her injuries on Dec. 4, 2021.
During the hearing, the prosecution stated the defense had sent them a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter, which the prosecution rejected.
In return, they had extended a plea offer that would require Garrett plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed with 30 years of imprisonment, which was countered by the defense requesting a sentence of eight-to-11 years of imprisonment based on the defendant’s age. The prosecution refused to accept that sentencing range.
Garrett rejected the 30 year sentence in court.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 19.
