Homicide Defendant Accepts Wired Plea Deal

By Anthoine Godin , McKenna Bryant - March 24, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting |

On March 21, a defendant pleaded guilty in a 2020 homicide case and a 2023 assault case before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. 

Jermaine Harris, 22, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, in connection to the death of 38-year-old Lamar Walters on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE, on Jan. 6, 2020. 

Court documents explain that Walters walked into the Washington Hospital Center suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on his body. He was later pronounced dead. 

Harris is also charged with four additional counts including conspiracy, assault with intent to kill, unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution, and carrying a dangerous weapon for his involvement in the stabbing of another inmate while being held in DC Jail.  

In the wired plea deal with a co-defendant for the assault case, the prosecution offered Harris dismissal of greater remaining charges if he plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the shooting and one count of assault with intent to kill for the stabbing.

As a result of the plea, the parties agreed to a sentencing range of  seven-to-nine years of imprisonment, after which Harris will be required to register as a gun offender.  

The maximum sentence for both charges is 30 years imprisonment each.

Parties are slated to return June 13 for sentencing.