Jamil Betts requests to change his plea and is denied

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 26, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

Jamil Betts’ request to withdraw his previous guilty plea was denied in court.

Betts was arrested in July for the murder of Andre Antwon McConnell, 10 weeks after the victim was fatally shot and killed. McConnell was found in late April on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE along with another adult male. Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital where McConnell eventually succumbed to his injuries. Betts was charged with second-degree murder while armed.

During a hearing in April of 2016, Betts’ attorney entered a guilty plea, and then shortly after withdrew from the case altogether. Upon receiving a new attorney, Chantaya Redmond-Reid, Betts withdrew his guilty plea, asking to proceed with a trial. In court, Judge Michael Ryan denied the request to withdraw the original plea.

Betts’ sentencing has been scheduled for September 22.