Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 26, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A homicide defendant pleaded guilty on Oct. 25.

Eldred Watts was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Zenus Epps, who was 33-years-old when he was shot to death on March 25, 2020, on the 3500 block of A Street, SE.  Police arrested Watts two days later.

The 27-year-old defendant pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter after making an agreement with prosecutors.

According to court documents, Epps was shot in the head at close range after leaving his girlfriend’s apartment. A witness identified Watts as the shooter. At the time, Watts and the defendant’s girlfriend were involved in a dispute. Another witness described another individual who was not apprehended by police.

The plea deal also allowed Watts to resolve another open case by pleading guilty to attempted robbery while armed.

According to court documents, the plea deal includes an agreement between parties that an appropriate sentence would be 10 to 13 years of incarceration.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled Watts to be sentenced on Jan. 14.