Judge Sentences Defendant to Five Years of Incarceration

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 17, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

On July 17, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced an involuntary manslaughter defendant to five years in prison plus five years of probation.

Edward Banks, who is also known as Michael Banks, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter of Abraham Binn on Feb 24. Banks and Binn were staying in the same shelter on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE when, on Aug. 19, Binn was intoxicated and urinating on a wall within the shelter when Banks struck him, knocking him to the ground and causing swelling and bleeding on the brain.

Binn was declared dead two days later.

Banks was originally charged with second-degree murder, but as part of a plea deal with the prosecution, his charge was amended to involuntary manslaughter. 

Both parties recommended that Banks be incarcerated for the involuntary manslaughter minimum of five years, accompanied by five years of probation afterward. 

“I’ve known him [Banks] to be extremely patient, kind, caring and extremely appreciative of the work I’ve done for him,” said defense attorney Ieshaah Murphy. 

Banks is a participant in a lawsuit against DC Jail by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) regarding the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Juliet McKenna also recommended that Banks continue to receive substance abuse and alcohol treatment, along with participation in vocational, educational and mental health services.

“It is clear that Banks was acting impulsively,” said Judge McKenna.