Homicide Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

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On Aug. 28, a homicide defendant accepted a plea agreement offered by prosecutors for a June killing.

Demarcus Barnett, 20, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the shooting death of 62-year-old Lasanta McGill on June 8 on the 1900 block of 7th Street, NW.

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred after Barnett had been robbed by two individuals in a building. He followed them out, and as they walked down a sidewalk, fired at them at least eight times, with one of the bullets hitting McGill.

“McGill was an innocent bystander in the incident,” said the prosecutor. The two robbers shot back at Barnett, when McGill was no longer in the direct line of fire as he was hiding between two parked vehicles.

Barnett sustained injuries from the crossfire, and sought aid at a local hospital where he was placed under arrest.

During the Aug. 28 hearing, Barnett accepted a plea agreement that lessened the second-degree murder charge to voluntary manslaughter while armed.

Defense attorneys requested his sentencing be before his Oct. 11 sentencing for a case in which he faces one count of carrying a pistol without a license. DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied the request, stating they would have to request a continuance from the other judge.

Defense attorneys also alerted the court they would be requesting Barnett be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would have his conviction be sealed once he successfully completes his sentencing requirements.

Parties are expected back for sentencing on Oct. 27.

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