Judge Conditionally Accepts Plea Agreement for Negligent Homicide

By Hunter Fernandez [former] , Jenna Ferrick [former] - January 23, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Traffic | Victims |

In a status hearing on Jan. 23, 2023, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt conditionally accepted a plea agreement for negligent homicide.

Gerald Lewis was originally charged with second-degree murder. On June 13, 2021, Lewis struck and killed pedestrian, Antonio Felder, while he was standing at a bus stop on the 1500 block of 14th Street, NW.

Judge Brandt conditionally accepted the plea agreement due to ambiguity of the maximum sentence limit for negligent homicide. The court must further review sentencing statutes to officially accept the plea agreement.

After negotiations, the prosecution and defense presented a plea agreement to Judge Brandt, who conditionally accepted the terms, including a 36-month imprisonment followed by probation, which will be determined by the court, and a $100 contribution to the victims of violent crime compensation fund.

By pleading guilty, Lewis waived his rights to a preliminary hearing and Grand Jury indictment as well as DNA testing of the prosecution’s evidence.

He has been fully compliant with release conditions requiring a GPS monitor and curfew as well as prohibiting driving and consumption of alcohol and other substances. The defendant was released Aug. 6, 2021, under these conditions.

The victim’s family will have the opportunity to read live victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 28, 2023.