DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a homicide defendant to 21 years of incarceration during sentencing on May 30.
Johnwann Elliott , 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Nikia Young on March 15, 2022, on the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue SE.
Young’s mother and godsister who were present at the sentencing hearing expressed their grief and longing for justice. During the victim impact statements, Young’s mother was in tears as she recounted telling her daughter to be careful leaving the house the morning of the incident. She grieved that Elliott still has the opportunity to experience life, which her daughter lost.
Young’s godsister emphasized that Young was permanently stripped from the opportunity to grow and live a full life.
In a statement to Judge Raffinan she said, “I pray that you usher this man’s justice to God.”
After stating that there was no clear motive in the case, the prosecution repeatedly referred to the nature of the murder as “senseless,” arguing that the incident was “not a robbery gone wrong… This was violence for violences’ sake.”
The prosecution played a video surveillance clip of the incident, showing Elliot intercepting the victim at on Minnesota Avenue, pushing her to the ground, and shooting her multiple times at close range.
Elliot’s attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, brought the defendant’s mental health and substance abuse issues to the forefront, these allegedly stemming from his unresolved childhood trauma. O’Sullivan noted that Elliot was raised by a family friend of his mother after she was stabbed and killed when he was four-months-old. His father was absent. The defendant recalled feeling neglected in his family since the family friend who raised him often favored her biological children.
O’Sullivan highlighted that after having had time for introspection between now and the incident in 2022, Elliott recognized he needs help and has developed work and family-focused goals, wanting to show his 11-year-old daughter that change is possible. This and the defendant’s accepting responsibility should indicate maturity and the first steps to change, according to O’Sullivan.
The defense and prosecution agreed to a recommendation of 21 years of incarceration prior to the sentencing, which Judge Raffinan accepted. Elliott was also sentenced to five years of supervised release for second-degree murder, and one year and ten months of incarceration along with three years of supervised release for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. His sentences run concurrently.
Elliott must also contribute $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund within a year of release, and register as a gun offender at the time of release, and must participate in rehabilitation programs while incarcerated.
No further dates were set.
