Judge Sentences Man to 30+ Years in Prison

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 14, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

In light of a guilty verdict, a convicted murderer was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for murder.

On June 7, Sean Green was sentenced to 38.5 years in prison for first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed for shooting Derrick Black on the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2015. Black, 24, fell in the street after being shot and was subsequently run over by a car Green was operating. The incident was captured by a security camera.

Green was also sentenced to ten years for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and a year and a half for unlawful possession of a firearm. The gun possession convictions will run concurrent to the the murder and assault convictions.

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff acknowledged several hardships Green, 28, went through, including losing his mother, sexual abuse, a head injury and drug use at an early age. However, the judge said that there was nothing to justify taking another man’s life.

“I can’t accept the notion that when (Green) was 24 or younger he didn’t understand the consequences of his actions,” Judge Bartnoff said. “He intended to to do what he did.”

Judge Bartnoff said Green was lucky he didn’t kill anyone else, emphasizing that he could have chosen another way. Apparently, Green shot Black several times after he fell to the ground and also shot into a local restaurant called the Mothership.

After a three year wait, Black’s sister told the judge that her “brother will get the justice that he deserves.” She said the crime, was “gruesome” because Green chased Black on Georgia Avenue and shot him three times in the back. After being shot, Black fell to the ground and was shot two more times.

The sentence given, which was suggested by the prosecution, was at the lower end of the District of Columbia Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines for the crime.

According to the defense, Green will be a different man after his prison term, saying he is taking GED, finance, and math classes among others. The lawyer said vocational training at a prison facility will help Green put his life back on track.

“It seems to me the government has not only been very reasonable, but also taken into account [the] factors the defense mentioned,” Judge Bartnoff said.

Green will also be required to pay $500 to the Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund, which will be taken from his prison pay. He must also serve five years on supervised release after his prison term and register as a gun offender.