Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to 8 Years, Over Grieving Family’s Objections

By Adriana Marroquin - December 11, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a manslaughter defendant to eight years of incarceration, despite the victim’s family’s disapproval and his own “reservations” about the relatively lenient plea deal, during a hearing on Dec. 11. 

On Oct. 9, Robert Straughter, 26, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Tyejuan Harkum on Dec. 6, 2023, on the 2600 block of Naylor Road, SE. 

According to the prosecution, Straughter and his accomplices stalked and followed Harkum in the hours leading up to his murder, before Straughter’s accomplices exited their vehicle and attacked Harkum as he ran errands. 

“He was just minding his business – he was ambushed,” a relative of Harkum told Judge Okun, stating Harkum’s daughter continues to grieve her dad’s murder. 

“Find your heart to give justice to my son,” Harkum’s mother begged Judge Okun, adding that [Straughter] needs to be held accountable as much as the shooters.”

“People in DC are walking around with guns because of people like him,” Harkum’s dad told Judge Okun, pointing to Straughter, adding that “DC is a battlefield right now.”

Multiple loved ones deemed Harkum a caring individual, stating his loss has left a gaping hole in their lives. “Grief isn’t the proper term to describe what we’re going through,” one of them cried. 

Judge Okun questioned the prosecution’s reasoning behind extending such a lenient plea deal, stating that “eight years just seems way too low given the nature of the crime.” 

The prosecutor told Judge Okun that because Straughter wasn’t considered a shooter, proving his guilt at trial would be difficult due to the evidence being merely circumstantial. They also argued that there was evidence that showed Harkum may have been armed at the time of his death. 

The prosecution requested Judge Okun accept the deal, and sentence Straughter to eight years despite the backlash from the family. 

The prosecution stated that eight years were sufficient punishment for Straughter’s “[decision] to prioritize the life of crime over his family,” despite his having a child, a diploma, and a stable life. 

Michael Bruckheim, Straughter’s defense attorney, also urged Judge Okun to accept his guilty plea, stating that he has expressed remorse and regret. 

“I think this is a really tough case,” Judge Okun stated, saying “I am going to accept the plea agreement, but it’s a close call. I have my reservations… my gut reaction is that this isn’t enough.”

However, he stated, he understood the prosecution’s concern that a jury may not convict him in a trial based on the circumstantial evidence. 

“They don’t give a f**k,” Harkum’s family exclaimed as Judge Okun imposed the eight year sentence. He ordered Straughter to serve five years of supervised release, and undergo substance abuse assessments and treatments during his incarceration. 

“You can see how emotional people are by this case. For your sake and the community’s sake, I hope you can comply and never be back here again. Good luck,” Judge Okun told Straughter. 

No further dates were set.