DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced the driver in a homicide case to five-and-a-half years in prison for obstruction of justice on April 24.
On Jan. 13, Daniel Bangura, 22, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Donald Childs, 46, on July 30, 2023 on the 100 block of Farragut Street, NW. Childs sustained a gunshot wound to his chest.
As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to a sentence of four-to-eight years imprisonment, subject to Judge Dayson’s approval at sentencing.
Iesha Marks, 31, also pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to second-degree murder while armed for her involvement in the same incident. Marks is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12.
According to court documents, Bangura drove the vehicle as Marks fired multiple shots that shot and killed Childs and then drove away from the scene.
The prosecution requested the highest possible sentence of eight years after reading a statement written by Childs’ mother. She wrote that his death “had lasting emotional effects” on her and the rest of Childs’ family, including his five children who were greatly impacted by the loss and struggled to adjust to life without him.
The prosecution also emphasized that, after Childs’ murder, Bangura was involved in additional gun possession and assault charges in Maryland. They argued that Bangura’s new charges showed that he had not learned from his actions and continued to engage in concerning behavior. The prosecution said Bangura was already sentenced to time in prison for both Maryland incidents.
Bangura’s attorney, Peter Odom, asked Judge Dayson to consider Bangura’s age of 19-years-old at the time of the incident before imposing a sentence. Odom also informed the judge about a drug addiction that Bangura struggled with since he was 16-years-old, and asked her to take into account Bangura’s remorse.
Odom said that Bangura should not face consequences for Marks’ actions, and argued that he did not know that a shooting would occur when he drove the vehicle with Marks riding inside.
Bangura’s mother gave a brief statement in which she said he “had a good heart” and was “loved by many.” She also asked Judge Dayson to consider Bangura’s age because his brain had not fully developed. Bangura’s mother also expressed her sympathy for Childs’ family.
Bangura apologized for his actions and briefly mentioned his struggles with his drug addiction. He said he engaged in peer recovery programs in Maryland in an effort to get help with his addiction and said his family was supportive.
Bangura told Judge Dayson, “I am no killer,” and asked for a reduced sentence so he could spend time with his younger brother and grandmother.
Judge Dayson acknowledged a request from the defense to sentence Bangura under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would allow him to have his conviction sealed after successful completion of his sentence and offers sentencing flexibility. However, due to the seriousness of the case and because Bangura was involved in multiple incidents afterwards, the judge declined to exercise the option.
Bangura was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also required to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF), and Judge Dayson said that this sentence will be consecutive to any sentences for his cases in Maryland.
No further hearings were scheduled.
