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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- October 24, 2017
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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A man who randomly stabbed another man aboard a red-line metro train on July 4 pleaded guilty to murder, and could face at least 30 years in prison if his plea is accepted.
Jasper Spires pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while armed as part of a plea deal. Spires killed 24-year-old Kevin Sutherland on July 4, 2015.
If Judge Judith Bartnoff accepts the terms of the plea deal, Spires faces a minimum sentence of 30 years, and a maximum sentence of life without parole.
Spires has been held at St. Elizabeth’s hospital as the case against him continued. According to police, Spires killed Sutherland a day after he was released from jail for an unrelated incident. Spires was accused of threatening and trying to rob a man on Wisconsin Avenue NW in Friendship Heights, according to an article by The Washington Post. Shortly after Spires was released, he boarded the metro-train where he killed Sutherland.
As part of the deal, other charges against Spires from the July 2 and July 4 incident will be dropped, including attempt to commit robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery while armed of a senior citizen, robbery while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon.
While he was held, Spires was ordered to undergo mental evaluations, where he was found competent twice.
Judge Bartnoff will make her ruling and sentencing on Jan. 12, 2018. Spires will be held at St. Elizabeth’s hospital until then.