‘I’ve Never Been the Same Since I Lost the Love of My Life,’ Victim’s Fiancé Says at Homicide Sentencing

By Mia Febles , Mia Kimm - January 27, 2024
Court | Homicides | stabbing | Victims |

On Jan 26,  a homicide defendant was sentenced to 12 years of incarceration by DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. 

Michael Caldwell, 29, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal stabbing of Damien Thompson, 45, on  June 4, 2023, on the 4300 block of Halley Terrace, SE. 

According to court documents, the incident was instigated by Thompson arguing about Caldwell’s grandfather. Eyewitnesses told officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that both individuals had been under the influence of alcohol. The conversation escalated and Thompson hit Caldwell in the head with a glass bottle. Caldwell retaliated stabbing Thompson with a knife approximately nine times. 

On July 10, 2023, Caldwell accepted a deal which required him to plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. 

During the sentencing, the prosecution invited three members of the Thompson family to deliver victim impact statements, expressing their pain.

“I can’t sleep at night,” Thompson’s fiancé said. “I’ve never been the same since I lost the love of my life.”

Despite her sadness, Thompson’s mother focused on the importance of forgiveness and told Caldwell that he can change for the better.

“Michael, you can change,” Thompson’s mother said, adding “Take the wrong and make it right.” 

“I forgive you, but I pray that you remember what you’ve done to Damien and everyone who loved him,” she said.

The prosecution said 16 years in prison would be most appropriate for this case. Although Caldwell suffered childhood trauma, prosecutors argued it is not an excuse for what he did to Thompson.

Caldwell’s two older sisters also gave statements, offering their condolences to the victim’s family while extending their support to Caldwell. They said that this is the first time “something serious” has happened to him and that Caldwell is a good person.  

Caldwell’s attorney, Todd Baldwin believed that Caldwell has post-traumatic stress disorder from his childhood which caused him to behave the way he did during the incident. According to Baldwin, Caldwell was molested as a child by someone in his household and would hear gunshots every night.

As a result, Baldwin requested a sentence of 102 months.  

Judge Raffinan sentenced Caldwell to 12 years in prison with five years of supervised release. During incarceration, Caldwell must comply with an intervention plan that consists of mental health treatment, drug treatment assessments and treatment if necessary, and a life skills program. Caldwell owes $100 to the victims fund, which is due a year after his release.  

No further dates were set for this matter.