In Sentencing Judge Says, You’re Not Going to Talk Me Out of It

By Jeff Levine - September 7, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Shooting | Suspects | Uncategorized | Victims |

In a Sept. 7 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Anderson chose prison over probation for Rashun Proctor who agreed to plead guilty to charges in two domestic violence incidents.  

Proctor, 25, was charged with simple assault, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted possession of a firearm and other charges relating to events that took place Feb. 4 and March 4 on the 2500 block of Knox Place, SE.  

According to the plea agreement obtained by D.C. Witness, prosecutors say they would have proved that Proctor “threatened to kill [his girlfriend] and pushed her. [Proctor] assaulted the victim all because the victim admitted that she had slept with someone else while she and [Proctor] were broken up.”    

The agreement also accuses Proctor of “periodically walking over to the victim, and cursing at her and pointing a firearm in her direction.”  Nonetheless, she was able to escape and call 911, and finally return to the apartment “because her four children were still inside.”

Nonetheless, the woman appeared in court to deliver a statement supporting Proctor’s parole.  She asked Judge Anderson to offer Proctor leniency in that he’s shown remorse and  “they have a baby on the way.”  

“He could help keep up with the bills,” she said.

Judge Anderson replied that Proctor subjected the victim to “horrific events” and noted later that the woman was so frightened during the attack that she urinated on herself.  

For his part, Proctor told Judge Anderson that he accepts full responsibility for his actions and that he apologizes “from the bottom of my heart.”  He says that jail has shown him he has a purpose and that he wants to seek gainful employment and help others by starting a non-profit organization. 

“I won’t let distractions put me in harm’s way…I just want to be a dad.”  Proctor said he’s a high school graduate.

Speaking of his girlfriend, whom he admitted abusing in the plea agreement, “I really love her.

Proctor’s attorney, Camille Wagner, asked Judge Anderson to sentence him under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) which would allow her to impose less than the mandatory minimum.  

However, Judge Anderson had exercised that option with Proctor in a previous matter and she had no intention of repeating herself.  

“You’re not going to be able to talk your way out of it, ” she said, pointing out that Proctor fired a gun during the incident.  Even though Judge Anderson acknowledged Proctor was likely to complete the terms of a possible parole and spoke articulately about his contrition, the violent nature of the case was defining.

Judge Anderson sentenced Proctor to 18 months for assault with a dangerous weapon and 18 months unlawful possession of a firearm, those terms served concurrently with six months for unlawful discharge of a firearm added consecutively to the other charges.  

In addition, Proctor faces three years supervised probation.  Still, those penalties are far less than the maximum allowed under DC law.

At the end of the hearing Judge Anderson denied Proctor’s request to embrace his reconciled girlfriend.   

As he was led away by US Marshals, Porter repeatedly called out to his girlfriend, “I love you so much.”