Judge Sentences Defendant to 12 Years for 2018 Homicide

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 8, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a man to 12 years in prison for his role in the death of another man.

In January, James Manuel Johnson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his role in the death of 29-year-old Johnathan Grady on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on June 28, 2018.

“Johnny was a critical member of his family, church and community,” a pastor, who spoke on behalf of Grady’s family, told Judge Ronna Beck during the sentencing on May 3.

The pastor said Grady had a “desire to help” and was an honorary usher at his church in Southeast DC. He said Grady was a “productive and striving member of society.”

The pastor also said that while Grady’s mother has forgiven the defendant, she is “still looking for justice.” The pastor said there needs to be “consequences for bad behavior.”

The prosecutor said that while Johnson, 44, appears to express remorse for his actions, he still persists to minimize his role in the murder. 

The prosecutor acknowledged that Grady was armed with a knife. However, he pointed out that Johnson was the “aggressor.” Apparently, Grady and Johnson exchanged words and that’s when Grady started running. The prosecution said Johnson then chased Grady for eight minutes, weaving in and out of traffic, before fatally stabbing him.

However, the defendant says Grady threatened him and his family.

“This whole incident was bad for me,” Johnson told the judge. “I didn’t mean to cause the family any harm.”

Johnson’s attorney, Anthony Matthews, told the court that Johnson didn’t start the conflict with Grady. He said his client was just there and that he went too far.

“Every day I think of June 28 and how it changed my life completely,” Johnson said. “And I know it changed the (Grady) family completely.”

Prior to delivering her sentence, Judge Beck noted that Johnson had a “very hard life,” acknowledging that he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, Judge Beck said she refutes the notion that he was threatened. After viewing surveillance footage, she said she believes Grady wasn’t threatening anyone.

Johnson is also required to serve five years on supervised release following his prison term.

On March 29, Johnson’s codefendant, Roderick Terrell Gaither, was sentenced to two years in prison for “facilitating” Grady’s murder. Gaither’s attorney said his charge stems from 12 seconds during the chase when Gaither, 24, told Johnson where the victim was headed.