Homicide Defendants Take Deal in Deadly Crowd Shooting

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Bobby Gupton and James Outland accepted a plea offer from the prosecution for second-degree murder while armed before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on April 4, in return for the prosecution’s agreeing to drop all other charges associated with the case.

Gupton and Outland, both 26, were originally charged with conspiracy while armed, first-degree murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stemmed from the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Tavonayna Glenn on June 28, 2023, on the 700 block of 19th Street, NE.

According to the prosecutor, Gupton and Outland were among a group of four men who ran together at a crowd of people on the street while firing guns into the crowd. Glenn died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

The plea offer from the prosecution was wired, meaning it would take effect only if both co-defendants accepted it. Gupton arrived at the court hearing prepared to accept the offer, but Outland asked Judge Dayson for more time to talk with his attorney.

Outland’s attorney, Howard McEarchen, told the court that Outland was reluctant to take the plea deal because it didn’t cap the possible sentence at anything less than the maximum the law would allow.

Liz Sapirstein, Gupton’s attorney, said the charge of second-degree murder while armed carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with a period of supervised release of not less than five years. McEarchen added that the defendants must each pay between $100 and $5,000 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Outland returned to court later the same day and joined Gupton in accepting the prosecution’s offer. Both co-defendants waived their rights to independently test DNA evidence.

Judge Dayson scheduled their sentencing for July 11.