Man Charged with 2nd Degree Murder Rejects Plea Offer

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 27, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

During a status hearing June 26, the defense counsel for a man facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, rejected the prosecution’s plea offer.

Lavonne Beckett is charged also with driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug and reckless driving for his role in Tanisha Ray’s death on the 600 block of Florida Avenue, NE in 2017.

According to court documents, after Beckett and Ray smoked a cigarette laced in PCP, a mind altering drug, the two sped down Florida Avenue. Ray was in the passenger’s seat.

Witnesses told police Beckett’s car struck a “Hess” gas station pole and ultimately caught on fire. Police found Ray unresponsive and trapped in the car. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

The prosecution offered a plea that would have reduced Becketts charges to involuntary manslaughter.

Beckett’s defense attorney, notified the court that Beckett’s case is in the process of being transferred to another lawyer at the Public Defender’s Office.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Ronna Beck scheduled a status hearing on July 17 in light of the new counsel transition.