Judge Accepts Plea In Homicide Case In Spite of ‘Gut Reaction’

By Hunter Odom [former] - June 9, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

“Obviously this is a very serious case,” DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said in a June 9 sentencing about a fatal shooting that occurred in 2020. 

Nathaniel Bates, 38, was charged with first-degree murder, robbery while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in the murder of 28-year-old Eddie Crist on May 8, 2020 on the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, SW. 

In March, Bates pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for his other charges to be dismissed.

The prosecution opened with impact statements from the family which included Crist’s sister, Crist’s ex-wife, and his girlfriend at the time of his murder, who spoke for herself and on behalf of Crist’s son. 

“The day my brother died, so did I,” said the victim’s sister.  “He was a free-spirited, beautiful soul… what a life to take away so senselessly,” she continued. 

“His daughter asks me, ‘What was daddy’s favorite food? What was his favorite color again?’,” said Crist’s girlfriend.

She concluded by saying, “I only knew him for three years and he truly impacted my life.” 

Both Crist’s girlfriend and ex-wife asked Judge Okun to consider their remarks in his final decision for sentencing.  In the plea deal, parties agreed on seven-years imprisonment followed by a five-year supervised release. Bates will also have to register as a gun offender. 

Prescott Loveland, defense attorney for Bates, asked that the defendant’s sentence for a 2018 case be served concurrently with this one. 

“My gut reaction is that seven years is not enough,” said Judge Okun. 

However, he accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Bates to the agreed upon seven years imprisonment. 

Judge Okun also recommended substance abuse and mental health assessments, anger management, grief counseling, and vocational training or employment for Bates. 

He closed the hearing by addressing Bates directly saying, “I really hope for your sake, your daughter’s sake, and the community’s sake you comply with the conditions of your supervised release, and I do not see you back in court. Good luck out there.”