Judge Imposes Eight-and-a-Half-Year Sentence on Homicide Defendant

By Anthoine Godin - April 22, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A homicide defendant was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan along the lines of terms discussed last month in a hearing on April 22.

Eugene Williams, 19, was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, attempted robbery while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside of the home or business, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old DeShawn Francis on Feb. 8, 2022 on the unit block of Chesapeake Street, NE. 

Williams, along with co-defendant Anthony Green, 28, were alleged to have killed Francis by shooting him in the head after a failed attempt at robbing Francis’ close friend in a drug deal gone wrong. 

Williams accepted a deal on Dec. 6, 2023, in which he pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed any additional charges previously sought. 

At a previous sentencing hearing on March 22, his defense attorneys, Hannah Claudio and Kevann Gardner, requested an additional month for Williams to complete testing to receive his General Equivalency Diploma (GED before his transfer to prison. 

Williams was sentenced to 120 months in prison with 18 months suspended. He was also fined 100 dollars to be paid to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Additionally, Williams was sentenced to 18 months of probation and five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. 

The judge granted Williams credit for time already served since his arrest on April 28, 2022. 

Claudio made an additional request to Judge Raffinan that Williams be placed in a federal prison with access to a six month adjustment program. The judge agreed.

Williams’ case is now concluded and no further dates were set.