Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Deal, Prepares For Trial

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A homicide defendant rejected a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park in a hearing on May 1.

Christopher Patrick Haynes, 31, is charged first-degree premeditated murder while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license and escaping from an officer for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Brent Hayward, 33, on Aug. 12, 2023, on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. A second individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.

According to the two plea deals, Haynes would plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed and one count of aggravated assault while armed, with five years of supervised release. One offer had Haynes serving 18-to-36 years in prison, while the other required a sentencing range of 20-to-32 years in prison.

Haynes rejected both offers, with his defense attorney, Nikki Lotze, choosing to set hearing dates in preparation for trial in March 2026.

Parties are slated to return on July 29.