Homicide Defendant Sentenced to 19-Years Following Guilty Plea

By Rebecca Connor [former] - July 14, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On July 14, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Keith Hudson Jr. to 19 years in prison with 5 years of supervised release for second-degree murder.

Hudson, 27, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for shooting and killing 25-year-old Isaiah Glover on the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue, NW on Feb. 9, 2021.

The defendant allegedly shot Glover twice in the back of the head after following him down an alleyway, in a manner that Judge Epstein described as “execution-style.”

As part of Hudson’s plea, his charge was reduced to a single count of second-degree murder. 

The sentencing guidelines for Hudson’s criminal history score and the charge of second-degree murder led to a suggested range of 13-25 years in prison. 

However, as a part of Hudson’s plea, the prosecution and defense agreed to a range of 17-19 years, with the prosecution arguing for the maximum sentence in that range. 

As part of their case, the prosecution brought forward several of Glover’s family members to testify about how much they had suffered since his murder. The prosecutor read a letter from one of the victim’s family members aloud, where the individual stated that “the lack of remorse shown by the perpetrator only deepens my anguish.”

As the sentencing continued, family members began to direct their anger and frustration toward Hudson, with one individual saying that he was “just a weasel” and another indicating he wished “the worst possible things” could happen to the defendant. 

Many family members spoke of Glover’s bright future that was taken away from him, with one stating they were trying to help him “to get the hell out of DC” and away from the violence that often happens in the city. 

Family members repeatedly stressed their desire for closure, indicating that the defendant’s lack of an explanation for why he shot Glover continued to weigh heavily on them. 

The prosecution also displayed a slideshow of photos of the victim, attempting to illuminate the level of affection and love that his family held for him and how deeply they were impacted by his murder.

In response to the prosecution’s requesting the maximum penalty under the plea deal, defense attorney Michael Madden asked for 17 years, saying that Hudson’s behavior during the incident was “wildly out-of-character.”

Madden also stated that there was “no rational explanation” for why Hudson committed the murder, though he wished that he could give the family members one. 

Hudson was given the opportunity to speak on his own behalf or to Glover’s family by Judge Epstein, but declined and remained silent throughout the proceeding.

Judge Epstein indicated that would be handing down the maximum sentence in the range agreed to by the parties, citing the fact that Hudson shot Glover while his back was turned as part of the reason for the higher sentence. 

In addition to being sentenced to 19 years in prison, Hudson was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release and is required to register as a gun offender.