Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to Serve 15.5 Years in Prison

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 8, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Documents | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve 15-and-a-half years in prison for shooting his unarmed victim multiple times. 

“When there is a murder, there is always a tragedy,” Judge Craig Iscoe said before passing the sentence. “Here, the magnitude of that tragedy is quite clear in the very deeply-moving remarks I have heard today.” 

Saeed Woodal, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed on May 8 2019, for shooting 32-year-old Deonta Farrar on Aug. 9, 2016, on the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE. He was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed.

“I loved him so much and you shot him down like a dog,” said one of the victim’s relatives. 

Judge Craig Iscoe sentenced Woodal to 216 months, 30 of which were suspended, plus five years of supervised release. 

“He was a son and a friend, but most of all, he was a father, and a great one,” another one of Farrar’s relatives said. You have no idea how you have damaged five children with this awful crime.”

Due to the hardships the victim’s family has experienced over the last four years, the prosecutor requested that the defendant be sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years of supervised release.

The prosecutor said the crime was premeditated because Woodal circled the neighborhood in his vehicle on the day of the murder, searching for the victim who was allegedly involved in a domestic incident with the defendant’s relative. 

“The crime was a cowardly way to handle Mr. Woodal’s business, this was immature and irresponsible, to say the least,” the prosecutor said. “Your honor has to consider the protection of society and society right now continues to need protection from Mr. Woodal.”

However, defense attorney Michael Madden argued that the crime was not premeditated. “Mr. Woodal was caught up in the alleged assault of his sister,” he said. 

Additionally, Madden pointed out that the defendant’s criminal history does not reflect the support the defendant has from his family, the full-time job he held before the crime, and his participation in a religious community. 

Because Woodal is eager to take advantage of programs and rehabilitation courses, Madden recommended that the defendant serve 12 years in prison. 

Per Woodal’s inquiry, the defense asked Judge Iscoe to recommend the defendant to Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina due to their excellent job training programs. Judge Iscoe agreed to do so.

Woodal apologized for his actions. 

“There is nothing I can say to bring the victim back. I am not trying to justify my action,” Woodal said. “What you see on this paper is not who I am. I do not have the right to decide when a man’s life is over”. 

Judge Iscoe said he decided to sentence Woodal to the 15 and a half year term to balance both serving time in prison for the crime and giving Woodal the opportunity to once again serve his community.

Additionally, the defendant must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) compensation fund. 

Vanessa Sousa wrote this article.