Jamil Betts sentenced 15 years for the murder of Andre McConnell

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 28, 2017
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

A man who pleaded guilty to murder was sentenced to 15 years in prison this month.

Jamil Betts pleaded guilty in December 2015 to the murder of Andre Antwon McConnell, after his arrest in July. According to the government, McConnell was with friends in the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, in April of 2015, when Betts allegedly shot him and one other adult male. The other male was wounded in the leg, while McConnell was wounded twice in the back. Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital, and McConnell eventually succumbed to his injuries.

During a hearing in April of 2016, Bett’s attorney entered a guilty plea, and then withdrew from the case shortly after. After receiving Chantaya Redmond-Reid as his new attorney, Betts attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, asking to proceed with a trial. Judge Michael Ryan denied the request to withdraw his original plea, and continued with the process.

On Sept. 22, Judge Ryan sentenced Jamil Betts to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder. Following his term, Betts will be placed on five years of supervised release.