In a killing the prosecutor termed “entirely avoidable,” Tremon Jackson, 22, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment for voluntary manslaughter before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on May 15.
Jackson was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the murder of 20-year-old Charles Towles on the 1400 block of L Street, SE that occurred on Nov. 4, 2023.
Detailing the events leading to the killing with three surveillance clips, the prosecutor noted Jackson approached Towles outside an apartment building in a red Toyota Prius, appearing to have a casual conversation.
Then inexplicably, Jackson and an unidentified suspect ran out of the building with loaded guns and attacked the victim.
“Certainly [Jackson] provokes the confrontation,” said the prosecutor. Then a tussle ensued followed by two guns firing, continued the prosecutor. She said at that moment a mother and two children were walking into the building.
“Jackson made the worst possible decision,” said the prosecutor. She also said this wasn’t Jackson’s first contact with the criminal justice system in that he was previously arrested but not convicted on a gun charge. Based on the circumstances, the prosecutor said a 15 year sentence was warranted in the return for dropping the murder charge in a plea bargain.
In a victim impact statement from a friend read by the prosecutor, Towles was eulogized as a good young man and his death was “a loss of hope and future to the world”. The friend continued that a maximum sentence was critical to resolve the case.
“This is a terrible, terrible situation,”said Russell Hairston, Jackson’s attorney. “Our streets aren’t safe but everyone feels they have to have a firearm.” Arguing for a ten year sentence, he said, “If the court is lenient, the court won’t see [Jackson] again.
Hairston asked that Jackson be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) which gives judges more flexibility and allows a conviction to be sealed if a young offender successfully completes their term. .
Jackson apologized for what happened to Towles and said that the situation left him speechless.
“Everybody looks at me as a menace,” he said “I ain’t no menace.” I hold the family together,” he continued.
Judge Dayson said she had a difficult time understanding what led Jackson to the point.
“I hope you use your time in order to find a different path,” she said. The judge sentenced Jackson to 120 months for voluntary manslaughter. He must also serve five years of supervised release, register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Fund.
No further proceedings are scheduled in the case.
