Judge Adopts Sentencing Recommendation From Attorneys in Homicide Case

By Justin Ancheta [former] , Ariana Rojas [former] - April 13, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a homicide defendant in accordance with a joint recommendation by the prosecuting and defense attorneys.

Dedan Williams was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 38-year-old Andrew Tillman. According to court documents, surveillance footage shows Williams chasing Tillman down the hallway of an apartment complex on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW, and swinging at him with a knife. An autopsy revealed that Tillman sustained injuries to his abdomen, back, face and head.

The homicide took place on Nov. 15, 2020. Williams, 50, was arrested that same day. Last February, he accepted a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter while armed.

“I hope you find some peace,” Judge Rainey Brandt told the apologetic defendant during his April 13 sentencing hearing.

As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to recommend a prison sentence of seven-and-a-half years.

Judge Brandt agreed to recommend that Williams be placed in FCI Butner, a medium-security federal prison, and receive mental health care.

Williams’ seven-and-a-half-year sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release. He will receive credit for time served.