Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

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On Dec. 11, a homicide defendant rejected a plea offer extended by prosecutors in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

David Peña, 47, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Maurice Robinson on June 12, on the 2900 block of Southern Avenue, SE. On June 13, Robinson succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), which were adopted as testimony by a detective in an Aug. 16 hearing, the shooting was a result of a “street-brawl” that ensued when one group showed up at the crime scene allegedly looking to start a fight with Peña’s family member. The two groups were seen fighting one another.

Prosecutors alerted Judge Brandt they had extended an offer in August, which would require Peña plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for the prosecutors not seeking an indictment.

Dana Page, Peña’s defense attorney, alerted the court he would be rejecting the plea offer, but is not opposed to continuing negotiations.

Parties are slated to return Jan. 26, 2024.

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