Judge Sentences A Murder Defendant to 15 Years in Prison

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 9, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Uncategorized | Victims |

A judge sentenced Sept. 6, a murder defendant  to 15 years in prison after denying his motion to take back a plea.

In April, Ricardo Daquan Boston pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. He was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed, among other offenses, for his role in the shooting death of 20-year-old Dante Coleman on the 3900 block of First Street, SE in 2017. The plea stipulated a sentence range of between 10 and 15 years.

The very next day, defense attorney Dorsey Jones filed an appeal of the sentence with DC Superior Courts. According to the appeal, Jones reason for appeal was because DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman denied Boston’s motion to take back his plea.

Jones also requested a change of counsel.

The appeal was denied on Sept. 9 and Boston’s original 15 year sentence was reinstated, according to DC Courts.

Boston is also required to serve 5 additional years on supervised release after finishing his term in prison.

Judge Edelman recommended that Boston be sent to a facility that will allow him to have vocational training, anger management and drug treatment.

“If anyone thinks pictures are important, wait until that’s all you have left,” Coleman’s grandmother told DC Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman. Along with losing her grandson to violence, Coleman’s mother was also murdered. The date the victim’s mother was killed was not disclosed.

Boston maintained his defense that he shot Coleman after the victim attacked him and tried to take his gun. During the melee, Boston says he shot Coleman by accident and also shot himself in the arm.

“I do not believe your account,” Judge Edelman replied.

Judge Edelman said it didn’t make sense for Coleman to attack Boston when he knew he had a gun. Judge Edelman also said there was no evidence that Boston was ever shot.

Apparently, Boston flew to Texas and was arrested there. Authorities in Texas did not notice a bullet wound in Boston’s arm, the judge said.