‘I Died That Day,’ Said Victim’s Mother During Homicide Defendants’ Sentencing 

By Carolyn Flammini , Miranda Calderon - February 6, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On February 2, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced two co-defendants for their involvement in a homicide. 

Ron McLeoud, 30, was originally charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges. Joseph Brown, 33, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges. 

The defendants were arrested for their involvement in the deaths of Amari Jenkins, 29, and Antwan Baker, 21. Jenkins was shot on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE, on Aug. 15, 2015. Baker, and a surviving victim, were found suffering from gunshot wound injuries on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE, on Nov. 12, 2015.  

On Sept. 18, 2023, McLeoud and Brown accepted plea offers extended by prosecutors. 

Brown’s offer required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection to Jenkins’ death, and voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection to Baker’s death, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. 

In the agreement, parties concluded that Brown would serve 25 years in prison with five years of supervised release. Brown is currently serving time for a federal case, the sentencing in this case would be served consecutively.

McLeoud’s offer required him to plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed in connection to Jenkins’ death, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. Under the agreement, parties concluded McLeoud should be sentenced to serve ten years in prison and five years of supervised release. 

Both victims’ families had a hard time accepting the terms of the plea deal, as they stated both defendants deserved “no mercy” and should receive the maximum sentence. 

During victim impact statements, Jenkin’s children stood before the court next to Amari’s mother.  Through tears, they said, “My dad never shows up to my football and basketball games.” 

“This pain… you can’t fix it,” said Amari’s mom, in regards to the pain the defendants have caused their family, adding “I died that day.”

Baker’s mom also stood before the court, saying that everyone always asks, “What’s wrong with your grandkids?” To which she answers, “Their father’s dead, that’s what.”

Following the victim impact statements, Judge Demeo accepted the defendants’ plea agreements. 

McLeoud was sentenced to 10 years with five years supervised release.  

Brown was sentenced to 180 months for his second-degree murder while armed charge and 120 months for his voluntary manslaughter charge, in addition to five years of supervised release. The sentences will run consecutive to one another and any other sentence he may be serving for unrelated matters. 

During the sentencing, Judge Demeo denied the defendants’ request to be sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) because she did not feel it applied to this case, and deemed them unfit to enjoy its benefits. 

Judge Marisa Demeo acknowledged that while there is no justice because nothing she could do in the court of law would “bring the victims back”, there is a sense of peace in “closure” for their families upon sentencing.