Judge Sentences Defendant to 2 Years in Prison for ‘Facilitating’ Murder

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 30, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant March 29 to two years in prison for “facilitating” a fight that led to the death of a 29-year-old man.

In January, Roderick Terrell Gaither pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for his role in the stabbing death of Johnathan Grady on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in June of 2018.

Gaither’s co-defendant, James Manuel Johnson, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection to Grady’s death. Johnson, 44, is scheduled to be sentenced May 3.

“Every night I feel pain knowing a mother lost her child,” Gaither said, addressing Grady’s family. “I’m truly sorry for my acts and this situation. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

On behalf of his family, Grady’s uncle addressed the court and explained their family dynamic. He spoke of how Grady used to help with family cookouts and was trying to get back in the church. The uncle also said that Grady would sometimes help the elderly get to church, carrying them from their apartments when the elevators weren’t working.

“We’re a Christian family. We forgive him,” Grady’s uncle said referring to the defendant.

The prosecution said Gaither too was a family man. The prosecutor said Gaither, 24, has a son and that he tries to be a good dad. He said Gaither only got into this situation because he wanted to see a fight. Apparently, Gaither was on the same street when Johnson was chasing after Grady and followed them. The prosecutor said Grady recorded the chase.

“(Gaither) watched the decedent run for his life, being chased like an animal,” the prosecutor said. Apparently, it was during the chase that Gaither told Johnson where the victim was going.

The defense said Gaither’s charge stems from 12 seconds when Gaither told his codefendant where the victim was headed. Defense attorney Kevin Mosley said that as a society we hope people would intervene in a fight, but unfortunately as a society, we’re not there. Mosley noted that there are websites devoted to fights of videos and acknowledged that social media also plays a factor.

Mosley also said his client tried to help. Apparently, after the stabbing occurred, Gaither got a rag and gave it to someone near the victim to apply pressure to the wound.

Judge Ronna Beck said she believes Gaither didn’t know that his actions would lead to death, but she did acknowledge that Gaither’s actions were “consequential.”

Judge Beck told counsel that she recommends Gaither undergo grief counseling, acknowledging that he lost a son and his grandmother while in prison. She also gave Gaither credit for time served.

Gaither is also expected to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.