DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced a homicide defendant to nine years in prison on March 27 for the fatal shooting of his brother.
Lamar Odoms, 25, pleaded guilty on Nov. 21, 2025 to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in killing 25-year-old Mark Odoms on Dec. 5, 2024 on the 2700 block of Wade Road, SE. Mark sustained one fatal gunshot wound to his abdomen.
According to court documents, Mark and Lamar were in an altercation before Lamar shot Mark and fled the scene.
“Mark and Lamar were best friends,” the brothers’ older sister said during her victim impact statement. “If you could find one of them, you could find the other.” She explained to Judge Edelman that she didn’t think Lamar intended to kill Mark when they got into the fight.
She asked the judge to be lenient when imposing a sentence, so Lamar could return home. “I just want one of my siblings back,” she pleaded.
The prosecutor argued the proffer of facts in this case belied the evidence. “Putting it bluntly, it’s nonsense,” he said. Having already made an argument in his sentence letter, he asked Judge Edelman to impose a sentence in the mid-range of the sentencing guidelines. Voluntary manslaughter while armed carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.
Michelle Stevens, Lamar’s attorney, asked for the bottom of the sentencing guidelines. “This case is unusual, but it’s just very tragic,” she argued.
According to Stevens, Lamar didn’t intend to cause the death of Mark and is “absolutely shattered that he did.” “The remorse he feels is deep,” she told Judge Edelman, and the burden of killing his brother is never going away.
She explained how Lamar is receiving substance abuse and mental health counseling and is working hard to improve.
Lamar apologized to his family for his actions. He told Judge Edelman, “I am greater than my worst mistake.”
Judge Edelman described the shooting as “senseless,” explaining how a petty dispute turned deadly because Lamar had a firearm on him. This incident was a “terrible, split second decision,” the judge said.
Judge Edelman sentenced Lamar under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would seal his conviction if he successfully completes all sentencing requirements.
The judge argued sentencing under the YRA would be a “hypothetical benefit” for Lamar at the end of the sentence, but would have no impact on his sentence length.
In addition to the nine year prison term, Lamar must also serve five years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a firearm offender when released, complete 90 hours of community service, and undergo substance abuse and mental health counseling.
No further dates have been set.
