Juvenile Homicide Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

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On Dec. 4, a juvenile charged in connection to the fatal stabbing of another juvenile accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld.

The juvenile was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault, felony assault and carrying a dangerous weapon, for her involvement in the Aug. 27 fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Naima Liggon. The incident occurred on the 1900 block of 14th Street, NW.

During the hearing, the juvenile’s defense attorneys alerted the court she was entering into a plea deal with prosecutors. According to the defense, the plea required the juvenile to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

According to prosecutors, had the case gone to trial, they would’ve been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that, on the day of the incident, the juvenile murdered Liggon. The proffer of facts, which was read aloud in court and agreed to by the juvenile, stated that Liggon, the defendant, and three witnesses drove to a McDonald’s at the location after a party.

A verbal disagreement over sweet and sour sauce occurred when all five individuals were back in the car. Liggon, sitting between the defendant and one of the witnesses in the back seat, interfered when the defendant attempted to grab the sauce away from the witness. Liggon told the defendant to calm down. The defendant told the witness sitting next to Liggon to get out of the car to fight, and Liggon attempted to prevent the witness from leaving the vehicle.

Once the witness and the defendant were out of the vehicle, Liggon attempted to prevent a physical altercation from occurring by getting between the two individuals. The defendant punched Liggon on the face, which caused Liggon to fight back. Liggon and the witness attempted to return to the vehicle, and as Liggon was facing away from the defendant, the defendant took out a knife and walked toward Liggon.

According to prosecutors, surveillance footage shows the defendant swinging the knife five times at Liggon, stabbing her in the abdomen once. One of the witnesses got in between the defendant and Liggon to try to get Liggon back in the vehicle. The defendant pushed the witness out of the way, getting Liggon to face her. The defendant then stabbed Liggon in the chest.

The witnesses drove Liggon to the hospital where she died.

The juvenile agreed that, on the day of the incident, Liggon and the three witnesses were not armed and did not pose a threat to her. She also agreed that she was in possession of a dangerous weapon, and did not act in self defense.

The juvenile alerted Judge Hertzfeld she was pleading guilty to both charges in the plea offer.

Judge Hertzfeld ordered updated versions of psychiatric and psychoeducational evaluations be done prior to her sentencing.

The juvenile’s defense attorneys requested she be released to her parents or a shelter house as she awaits sentencing, stating she has taken responsibility for her actions. Attorneys also argued the conditions of the Youth Services Center (YSC) at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) are not good, citing overcrowding and lack of resources.

A representative for Social Services recommended she continue to be detained as she awaits sentencing. Prosecutors agreed, stating she took responsibility for taking someone’s life, and unprovokedly attacked another resident in the youth center. They argued she continues to behave in a way that poses a threat to the community.

The juvenile’s defense attorneys argued the altercation at YSC was not unprovoked, as the other individual had been “antagonizing” the juvenile by discussing the case against her wishes. They claimed the issue had been resolved, with another judge ordering both individuals to participate in restorative justice to accept responsibility.

Prosecutors argued that the video of the incident at YSC clearly shows the juvenile started the fight “over mere words,” and she showed violent behavior. They insisted Liggon’s death also stemmed from mere words, and it’s troubling to think what could happen if she is released back to the community.

Defense attorneys argued that due to the overcrowding and lack of resources at YSC, she needs to be removed to prevent potential violence. They claimed she’s been a “model member of YSC’s community,” and asked Judge Hertzfeld to “see her as a whole”.

Judge Hertzfeld deemed it troubling that she needs to be removed to prevent her from taking violent actions.

The judge deemed it unsafe for the juvenile to be released, stating she proves a risk of harm and admitted to a killing. She will continue to be detained as she awaits a disposition.

A disposition was scheduled for Jan. 3.

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