Judge Reschedules Sentencing In Non-Fatal Shooting Case 

By Kiliane Gateau [former] - February 2, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

On Feb.1, DC Superior Court Erik Christian  postponed Marquett Brown‘s sentencing because his defense attorney, Adgie O’Bryant, submitted case documents late. 

Brown, 35, was originally charged with assaulting an officer while armed, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a firearm outside of a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 11, 2022 on the 400 block of Benning Road, SE. There were no reported injuries from the incident. 

According to court documents, the incident stemmed from Brown’s refusal to wear an appropriate COVID-19 face mask as required at the time in a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) location. 

When a special DMV police officer told Brown he would be asked to leave if he did not comply, Brown allegedly got in a tussle with the officer, grabbed the officer’s gun, and shot it once. 

On Oct. 20, 2023, Brown accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors, which required he plead guilty to unlawful discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, and attempted aggravated assault, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges, and a dismissal of two misdemeanor cases. 

At the beginning of the scheduled sentencing, Brown told the judge that he took a plea deal because he “accepts full accountability and responsibility” for his actions, and stated that he had previously entered a not guilty plea because he had still been “mentally trying to grasp it” and had not been ready to accept responsibility.

Judge Christian stated that since O’Bryant had failed to send him the memorandum in advance, he had not had a chance to read it, and was not prepared to sentence Brown. 

O’Bryant asked him to pass the case in order to read the documents, but Judge Christian stated that he would still not have time, and would need to reschedule it for a later date. 

Parties are scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Feb. 13.