Judge Finds Probable Cause For Voluntary Manslaughter Despite Claims of Self-Defense 

By Alesar Harfoush [former] - April 20, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On April 19, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt said she couldn’t justify probable cause for a second-degree murder charge but did find evidence for voluntary manslaughter. 

Twenty-four-year-old Dionte Anderson is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with allegedly shooting of Adrian Mack, 31, on Aug. 7, 2022, on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE. 

On Wednesday, during a resumed preliminary hearing, parties made their final arguments before Judge Brandt. 

The prosecution argued that there is enough evidence to find probable cause for second-degree murder and if not probable cause should be found for voluntary manslaughter. 

Prosecutors also said there was no self-defense in this case because the victim was already hurt before Anderson shot him and one  can see in the video that Anderson got closer to Mack before shooting him.

While the defense said Anderson saved lives, the prosecution questioned “Whose lives did he save?”

“Whose lives? Glad you asked,” defense counsel Prescott Loveland said. He referenced the people who were standing on the scene whose “brains would have splattered on the brick wall behind them.”

Loveland argued that Anderson acted in self-defense and stopped what could have been a mass shooting from happening. 

Mack, according to Loveland, was a “crazed gunman” who was walking the block pointing a gun at Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) cameras and trying to shoot them.

Judge Brandt stated that Mack was the person who started the chaos and there is a lack of evidence to find probable cause for second degree-murder, but there is no doubt that there is probable cause for voluntary manslaughter since Anderson allegedly shot and killed Mack.

Loveland requested Anderson’s release awaiting trial, however Judge Brandt denied the request, referencing the safety of the community and lack of assurance he would show at his next court appearance. 

A status hearing is scheduled for April 25 to set a trial date.