Judge Sentences Codefendants in ‘Senseless’ 2017 Murder

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 18, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced two murder defendants Jan. 18 for their role in a 2017 murder that allegedly stemmed from a fender bender. The prosecution said the victim’s death was “senseless” and “uncalled for.”

In August, Michael Jones and Khalil Davis pleaded guilty for their role in the death of 25-year-old Omar Earl Rogers on the 2200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE in 2017.

Judge Judith Bartnoff sentenced Jones, 22, to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder. Davis, 23, received a seven years sentence for accessory after the fact of second-degree murder while armed.

According to the prosecution, Rogers had just finished performing in a band at the Uniontown Bar, when he backed into Davis’ car. Jones, who was with Davis, became enraged and followed Rogers until he was alone. Jones fired seven rounds into the victim’s car before getting in Davis’ car and fleeing the scene. Apparently, throughout the murder Jones sat in the car “cool as a cucumber as a brutal murder happened,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said that because of the defendant’s actions, Roger, who has two sons, won’t be able to see his children grow up. She also said Roger couldn’t be there for his mother who was battling cancer.

Prior to his sentencing, Jones addressed the court and apologized for his actions. However, he said he felt provoked. According to Jones, the defendants were involved in an altercation with Roger’s friends and guns were drawn prior to the fender bender. Jones’s attorney said his client was angry and “blacked” out.

“I just got mad your honor,” Jones said. “I made a mistake.”

Davis also addressed the court to express his remorse. He explained that during the murder he may have seemed calm, but in truth he was shocked and intoxicated.

“I’m really sorry,” he said. “There’s not enough apologizes that I could give to that family.”

Davis’ attorney said that his client is a thoughtful and intelligent young man, noting that he previously mentored young children in his neighborhood and is on his way to obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in business management.

“Judge me for me and not my actions because that’s not me,” Davis said.

Prior to delivering her sentence, Judge Bartnoff said that she believes Jones is responsible for Roger’s death. She addressed him directly, saying that his explanation that he was angry “almost makes it worse” because she knows his family didn’t raise him that way.

Judge Bartnoff ordered Jones to undergo anger management treatment.

Davis and Jones are also required to serve five years on supervised release following their sentences.