Judge Limits Sentencing Under Youth Act in Fatal Shooting

By Ella Lesher [former] - September 29, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 29, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced Khamari Perkins to 156 months of incarceration followed by five years of supervised release.

Perkins, 22, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Naseem Simpson on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW, on March 15, 2020. The incident allegedly occurred while Perkins was on release for an unrelated case and had a court-issued GPS device monitoring his location.

Perkins also faced charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution for an incident that occurred at the D.C. Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on Jan. 6.

During a June 26 hearing, Perkins accepted an agreement to plead guilty to second-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon for both cases. All other charges were dismissed.

The prosecution asked for a maximum sentence of 16 years under the plea. They played videos of both incidents before the court, arguing that Perkins’ behavior warrants a sentence “at the upper end of the sentencing range” and that he does not deserve additional leniency.

Beyond suggesting Perkins showed “minimal remorse” for his actions in the Simpson shooting, the prosecution also cited the incident at the D.C. Jail as evidence that he “has not changed” and is not “trying to do better.”

Eight members of the Simpson’s family appeared before the court to deliver victim impact statements. Simpson’s mother spoke first, calling the defendant a “monster” who planned the shooting, but “even sometimes feel[s] sorry for” Perkins.

Simpson’s father made a short statement about Perkins’ betrayal of his son, a former friend. His brother, Simpson’s uncle, added that he and his entire family are traumatized by the defendant’s actions.

Simpson was the youngest of six siblings, and three of his older sisters also addressed the court. One discussed the struggle she faces “to make sense of the injustice of it all,” especially Perkins’ “never-ending cycle” of violence. She said that the plea deal feels like a “slap in the face” for her family, arguing that the defendant is not a first-time offender who made a mistake.

Another of Simpson’s sisters commented about death’s permanence and the temporary nature of punishment. Simpson’s sisters were united with one message: They want to see the defendant “behind bars for as long as possible.”

Simpson’s grandmother echoed this sentiment, calling the defendant’s actions “unbelievable,” “cowardly,” and “selfish.”

Simpson’s aunt—a civil rights advocate—told Perkins, “I fight for you on a daily basis,” but expressed frustration she didn’t see the reform she’s fighting to achieve given what happened. She called upon Judge Raffinan to “stop this gun violence” and make “an example” out of this case. 

Perkins himself also addressed the court, saying he has lost friends to violence. He “thinks about [his actions] every day,” and offered to teach young men in the community how to stop violence.

Perkins’ attorney, Kevann Gardner, argued that the incident was not premeditated since the defendant struck the victim before the gun went off. As for the assault at the DC Jail, Gardner said Perkins was simply responding to a fight involving a family member and a family friend.

He urged Judge Raffinan to consider a 15-year sentence and asked for the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) to be applied.

Before imposing sentence, Judge Raffinan expressed how sorry she was for the family’s loss. She said her decision takes into account Perkins’ criminal history as well as the fact that the gun was fired not once but twice.

Judge Raffinan sentenced Perkins to 156 months incarceration followed by five years of supervised release for the first charge, second-degree murder while armed. For the second charge, assault with a deadly weapon, she sentenced him to 36 months followed by three years of supervised release.

These sentences will run consecutively, and the defendant must pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime compensation fund.

In addition, Perkins will be required to remain registered as a gun offender until two years after his supervised release is complete.

The defendant was sentenced under YRA, which would effectively seal his case after he completes his requirements. However, after the sentence was imposed, the defense and prosecution discussed whether the YRA should apply in this case. After review, Judge Raffinan adjusted the sentence applying the YRA to only the second charge, assault with a deadly weapon.

In closing, Judge Raffinan told the defendant that the world “can and must be better on the other side” of his incarceration.