Judge Sentences Convicted Murderer to Nearly 50 Years

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 23, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

On July 20, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend to 49.5 years in prison.

A jury found Donald Hairston guilty of first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of Stephanie Goodloe on the 700 block of Kentucky Avenue, SE in 2016. Apparently, Hairston snuck into Goodloe’s home in the middle of the night and shot her five times. In the weeks prior to the murder, Goodloe filed a restraining order against Hairston, who threatened to kill her.

Hairston, 51, was also convicted of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, burglary while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, stalking and violating a civil protection order.

During Hairston’s sentencing, Goodloe’s cousin read a letter on behalf of her family, who was present in the courtroom, which noted the grief they all endured.

The cousin talked about the emotional strain placed on Goodloe’s daughter, who was in the house on the night of the murder. He spoke about how the daughter saw Hairston pause in her doorway after shooting her mother and being too afraid to move because she was afraid he’d kill her. The daughter, who was 11 years old at the time of the murder, testified against Hairston during the trial.

The family asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 61.5 years, “ensuring that (the daughter) will never have to fear his shadow looming in her doorway,” the cousin said.

Subsequently, Hairston’s biological daughter spoke in favor of her father and requested that he be given the minimum sentence of 30 years. She told the court that while her father is “flawed” he’s not a murderer. She spoke of how he was hands on during her childhood, has “unflinching strength” and cared for her entire family. She mentioned that while Goodloe’s daughter was not her father’s biological child, he treated her as if she was his own.

Hairston addressed the court and reasserted his innocence. “ I did not do this,” he said.

Judge Danya Dayson said she would not impose the maximum sentence because Hairston’s criminal history was mostly of nonviolent weapons charges. However, she said, based on the murder conviction, the minimum sentence would not be appropriate.

Defense counsel, Lauren Johnson and Mani Golzari, said they plan to appeal the case and said they, “ truly believe the jury got it wrong.”

Hairston will also serve three additional years on supervised release following his prison term.