DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman let a grieving mother say a few words after a homicide defendant accepted a plea deal on Aug. 14.
De’Andre Sams, 29, was originally charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, assault with attempt to kill while armed, attempted robbery while armed, conspiracy while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from his involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Matthew Miller during an attempted robbery on Sept. 6, 2023, on the 200 block of M Street, SW. Two other individuals were injured during the incident.
Raymond Mathis, 38, and Keshawn Lavender, 24, are also charged for their alleged involvement in the incident. Judge Edelman granted defense motions to sever Sams from his two co-defendants on July 23 because Mathis and Lavender indicated they intend to call Sams as a witness during their trial.
During the hearing, Sams’ attorneys, Jessica Willis and Diana Yu, informed Judge Edelman that Sams accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors.
Sams pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed, an offense that carries a potential maximum of 30 years of imprisonment. However, in exchange for Sams’ guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to a sentence ranging from eight-and-a-half to 13 years. Prosecutors also agreed to dismiss Sams’ remaining charges.
After Miller’s mother heard Sams accept the plea deal and the agreed upon sentence length, she waa upset. Judge Edelman let her express her dissatisfaction to Sams saying, “You should get life because you took his life.”
Miller’s mother said her son was a hard working man and did not deserve to die the way he did.
She ended her statement by saying “I am not in a forgiving mood right now and I don’t think I ever will be, but I think you should get life.”
Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Oct. 17.
