Man sentenced to 32 years for child’s death

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 23, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

A man was sentenced to 32 years in prison in connection with four-year-old Samauri Jenkins’ death.

Jerome Lewis, 50, was sentenced Feb. 23 after he was found guilty of first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances, second-degree murder, and first-degree cruelty to children on Oct. 25, 2017. The case against Lewis went to trial twice due to a hung jury in April 2016.

Lewis will be placed on five years of supervised release following his sentence.

Although a sentence was imposed, there will be also be a hearing for restitution for the estate of Samauri Jenkins on June 15. According to the Office of the District Attorney, Lewis rented the first and second floors of his house, located on the 2600 block of 33rd Street, SE, to relatives, but tension between them rose and Lewis began to accrue a massive amount of debt. To solve his financial troubles, Lewis set fire to his mattress and burnt the house down in order to get insurance money.

According to charging documents, everyone but Jenkins escaped uninjured. Firefighters rescued her from the second floor of the house but she was taken to a local hospital where she died from her injuries two days later.

Jenkins’ uncle spoke on behalf of the family attending the sentencing. “[Lewis] broke our heart, but he didn’t break our will and spirit,” he said. “That’s why we’re here today.”