Mother IDs Murderer As ‘An Animal’

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 12, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a sentencing hearing Sept. 12, a murder defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter while armed.

Jackie Berry pleaded guilty in June for stabbing 38 year-old Michael McKoy on the 1600 block of V Street, SE in 2010. He was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business

“He was an animal,” McKoy’s mother told DC Superior Courts Judge Craig Iscoe. “Please never let him walk the streets again. I want him behind bars.”

The prosecution and defense recommended a sentence of 10 years for the plea.

“My life was shattered,” the mother continued. At times she struggled to speak to the judge during her victim impact statement. The mother encouraged Judge Iscoe to consider a harsher sentence than what counsel agreed on.

Judge Iscoe acknowledged that the sentence would not satisfy everyone.

According to DC’s voluntary sentencing guidelines, a person who maintained a criminal history score of 0-0.5, who was convicted of second-degree murder while armed could be sentenced from 12 to 24 years in prison.

“I regret everything,” Berry said.

According to court documents, Berry and McKoy were friends and Berry slept on McKoy’s couch for an extended period of time.