Homicide Defendant After Rejecting Plea Asks For More Time

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A homicide defendant was offered a plea, but requested more time to review, after originally rejecting it following a short discussion with his attorney at a May 17 hearing.

Charles Robert Lewis Jr., 33, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the death of Mark Carter, 55, on Oct. 15, 2022 on the 600 block of Southern Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, Carter was found lying flat and face downward in the middle of the street with his pants and underwear below his knees. The victim’s face was covered in blood and his eyes swollen shut.

The plea deal requires Lewis to plead guilty to second-degree murder, with a sentencing range of 12-to-18 years.

Defense attorney Brandi Harden requested more time with her client as she wants to make sure he understands the terms of the plea agreement, despite his original rejection of the deal before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Harden also stated that Lewis Jr. would like to make an inquiry about the first-degree murder charge versus the plea deal.

Parties will reconvene May 30.