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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- April 26, 2019
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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On April 26, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a 65-year-old murder defendant to 4.5 years in prison.
Manuel Pupo-Leyvas pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for killing Jose Romero Ramirez on the 2500 block of 17th St., NW in 2016. He was initially charged with second-degree murder.
During the sentencing, the prosecutor said she agreed with defense counsel that 4.5 years, which is six months below the recommended sentencing range, was an acceptable term because of the “unusual circumstances” of the murder.
According to the prosecutor, Pupo-Leyvas punched Ramirez in the stomach during an argument, but, because Rameriz had health problems, the injury was enough to cause internal bleeding and death. The prosecutor said the sentence agreement was low because Pupo-Leyvas did not have a weapon at the time of the murder.
Defense attorney Dana Page said her client was deeply remorseful for his actions and did not intend to kill Ramirez. Page said that Pupo-Leyvas struggled with alcoholism, which she said caused Pupo-Leyvas to fight with Rameriez.
“I didn’t mean to hurt him the way that I did,” said Pupo-Leyvas in a statement to Judge Craig Iscoe.
Following statements from counsel, Judge Iscoe sentenced Pupo-Leyvas to 54 months, or 4.5 years, and said he would recommend Pupo-Leyvas serve his sentence in a medical facility due to his age.
After his sentence, Pupo-Leyvas will also be required to serve five years on supervised release.