DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced a defendant on Aug. 14 to suspended prison time, in favor of two years probation, for a shooting committed when he was a juvenile.
Cedric Brockington, 21, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business on June 10. The charges stemmed from his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 10, 2022, on the 1200 block of 5th Street, NW. Brockington fired four shots at the victim, who sustained one gunshot wound to his arm.
Brockington was originally charged with assault with intent to murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, and carrying a dangerous weapon. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dismissed the remaining charges.
In the agreement, parties agreed that Brockington would receive five years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and two years for carrying a pistol without a license, to run concurrently, and with all suspended but time he already served.
At sentencing, Judge Ryan accepted the agreement negotiated by the parties. Brockington was also sentenced to two years of probation and will have to register as a gun offender.
Judge Ryan supported his decision with Brockington’s spotless record on release in this case, as well as his demonstrated maturity and growth since the crime. He sentenced Brockington under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which mandates Brockington complete 90 hours of community service.
In DC, the YRA allows defendants who committed an offense while under the age of 25 to have their convictions sealed if they complete certain requirements while giving judges more latitude in sentencing.
Judge Ryan explained that part of his consideration for application of the YRA is trauma a young defendant might have endured.
Christen Philips, Brockington’s attorney, detailed Brockington’s supportive family, and his childhood playing music and attending church.
However, Judge Ryan said general violence in the community could lead to trauma. Philips explained the social environment that she said provided necessary context to the incident.
Based on Brockington’s childhood, “This offense seems widely out of character,” Philips said.
In her conversations with Brockington, Philips explained, he never provided an excuse. The context that led to the shooting, she said, was “the peer environment.”
“Mr. Brockington is the first to admit that he was looking for that acceptance in the wrong place,” Philips said. When he got to high school, he sought out peers also interested in music, but struggled to find a group. Instead, he befriended groups involved in “a neighborhood beef,” detailed Philips.
Judge Ryan and Philips also noted that Brockington smoked marijuana daily prior to the offense, which they highlighted could impair judgement.
Philips contended that “Everything we know about brain science” and “fitting-in mentality” explained the shooting. “This really isn’t him,” she asserted.
The case had the potential to derail Brockington’s life, Philips said. Instead, he turned inward and to support systems.
“Some people that are young,” Philips added, “do have serious lapses in judgement.”
Brockington read a statement during his sentencing. He said he felt “deep remorse” towards the victim, the victim’s family, and his own family.
Judge Ryan said he received letters in support of Brockington from his mother, father, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, a second uncle who’s a pastor, and the founder of an organization he volunteers with.
In addition, Judge Ryan noted that Brockington had a supportive childhood and his family has had few interactions with the criminal justice system, which he said is unique in his courtroom.
While incarcerated, Brockington completed high school and is now earning a certification through a welding academy. Philips also highlighted that he received a job offer.
According to the pre-sentence report provided by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Brockington had no positive drug tests or missed appointments during his pre-trial release period.
Philips requested that Brockington only serve one year of probation, as that would allow him five years total under supervision for this case and would be “more than sufficient.”
Judge Ryan said would review the sentence after one year, if Brockington’s record is still clean.
The prosecutor requested the court stay within the sentencing suggestions in the plea agreement and said there were no victim impact statements.
Judge Ryan spoke directly to Brockington and implored him to remember what led to the shooting, his time in jail, and the court proceedings.
“You don’t ever want to be in that situation again,” Judge Ryan said. “Good luck.”
There are no further hearings scheduled in this case.
