A defense attorney asked the prosecution for more time to discuss a plea agreement with their client in a homicide case before DC Superior Judge Neal Kravitz on June 18.
Yazmin Owens, 26, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during crime of violence for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 26 year-old Nakysia Lemon-Williams on Nov. 14, 2023, on the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. Lemon-Williams sustained one gunshot to her torso.
The prosecution offered Owens a deal that would require her to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges. As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to a 20-to-24 year prison sentence, subject to Judge Kravitz’s acceptance at sentencing.
Parties noted that in a hearing on June 10, the defense countered this plea, which prosecutors rejected. At the hearing, Owens’ attorney, Sylvia Smith, alerted the court of Owens’ intent to accept the deal.
The plea was set to expire at the hearing, however, Smith requested more time to discuss the deal with Owens before she finalized her decision. The prosecution granted this request and extended the offer until the next hearing.
Parties are slated to reconvene on June 22.
