Homicide Sentencing Postponed for Youth Rehabilitation Act Study

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On April 5, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun postponed the sentencing of a homicide defendant in order to allow for a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) study.

The law gives judges more latitude in sentencing offenders younger than 22 and the opportunity to have these cases sealed from public view.

Anthony Lewis, 25, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Cameron Clemons. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Otis Place, NW, on May 18, 2022.

Clemons died of fungal pneumonia on June 4, 2022, as a result of the gunshot wound.

On Jan. 18, Lewis accepted a deal which required him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Defense attorney Julie Swaney stated she was requesting a Youth Act Study because she had recently become aware that Lewis was eligible. The prosecution responded that the request was unfortunate but they had no legal basis for objecting.

Judge Okun permitted members of Clemons’ family to make any victim impact statements they had prepared for the sentencing hearing.

Clemons’ grandmother, who appeared at the hearing virtually, addressed the court briefly. Referring to Lewis, she stated, “I just want him to know how much devastation he has caused to our family.”

The sentencing hearing has been rescheduled for June 21.

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