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By
Marissa Stambaugh
, Phoebe McConnell - October 28, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a homicide defendant to 25 years of incarceration and five years of supervised release on Oct. 25, but was not given release conditions because of his age.
On Aug. 23, William Barrett, 69, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for the murder of 36-year-old Romaine Maddox. The incident occurred at the Ivy City Motel on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE on Feb. 23.
According to court documents, Barrett and Maddox were in a relationship. The two went to a motel to spend some time together on Maddox’s birthday when things turned violent. A physical altercation occurred which ultimately led to Barrett striking Maddox multiple times with a toilet seat cover which killed her.
Barrett is not a first time offender, according to the prosecution. Prior to this crime he had been incarcerated twice for assaulting two other women–both incidents were violent, one resulting in arson. Those crimes occurred while Barrett was briefly on release after spending most of his adult life incarcerated, according to the prosecution.
The prosecution in this case asked for 25 years of incarceration, citing the nature of the crime and Barrett’s extensive criminal history. They believe that if released Barrett will continue to commit crimes against women and his violent actions are a pattern.
Victim impact statements were given by Maddox’s family with one member stating “you deserve a life sentence.”
Defense attorney Russell Hairston urged Judge Okun to focus on Barrett’s acknowledgement of the crime and his age. Barrett is turning 70 this year and depending on the sentence will most likely die in prison, according to Hairston.
He also requested Barrett get a mental health assessment and a transfer to a prison that houses the elderly in Boston.
Barrett gave his condolences to the family, stating he cared for Maddox and that “it was not supposed to turn out this way.” He acknowledged his guilt and stated that his actions mean, “I will die in prison”.
Judge Okun sentenced Barrett to 25 years of incarceration with five years of supervised release based on criminal history, citing this not being the “first time he has savagely attacked a woman” and the “horrific” nature of this crime. No conditions of release were given based on the age of the defendant.
Judge Okun mentioned that age is usually a mitigating factor, but this case is unique in that Barret has gotten more dangerous as he has gotten older. Usually defendants get less violent as they age but Barret has “gone in the opposite direction”, according to Judge Okun.
Judge Okun told Barrett he will most likely die in prison and that he should make the most of the time he has left.