Homicide Victim’s Father Asks for Harsher Sentencing Guidelines

By Maria Howard [former] - November 22, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | stabbing | Suspects |

A homicide victim’s father asked a DC Superior Court judge for the man now convicted of killing his son to face a harsher sentence than that outlined in his plea deal.

On Oct. 24, 2018, 22-year-old Roger Marmet was found in a vehicle on the 1200 block of 17th Street, NE, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, according to court documents. Barry Marable was later charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting.

The 25-year-old defendant pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter while armed after making an agreement with prosecutors. His plea deal includes an agreement between parties that an appropriate sentence would be five to 30 years of incarceration.

Marmet’s father and a family attorney, William Lawler, attended the Nov. 19 hearing and asked to speak to the court regarding their opinion on the plea agreement and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO). 

“I don’t think they have a right to speak at a guilty plea [or] object to the terms of the plea agreement,” DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said. 

Ultimately, Judge Kravitz allowed Marmet’s father to speak.

“My son deserved the right to live,” he said. “But he was killed at 22-years-old and the US Attorney’s Office does not care. They are worried about expediency. Hold USAO accountable to do their jobs.” Marmet’s father also accused the USAO of having “devalued and disrespected” his son.

“I am here to ask the court to carefully review the facts of the case because USAO is not. [Marable] should be properly held accountable for his deliberate actions,” he said. “I only want USAO to do their jobs… This plea is not reasonably just… The facts of the case do not fit the agreement made.”

The prosecutor responded by saying they do believe it’s appropriate.

Judge Kravitz said, “I have heard the oral argument made today but I don’t see it as a formal request to take action. [Marmet’s father and Lawler] will need to file something to support their position and each party will have an opportunity to file a response.”

The deadline for them to file a motion related to the plea deal is set for Jan. 25.

Marable was also charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

The plea deal also includes an agreement that the prosecution will waive the opportunity to file sentencing enhancement papers and reserve allocution at sentencing. Marable also must forfeit any firearms confiscated and waive rights to conduct further DNA testing.

Judge Kravitz scheduled Marable to be sentenced on April 1.