Murder Charges Dropped, Defendant Pleads Guilty to Possession

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 20, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

A man, who was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed, pled guilty June 19 to a possession charge.

Sean Smith  was accused of shooting 26-year-old Matthew Walker on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE in 2016 after an altercation at a party. Smith claimed the shooting occurred in self defense, according to court documents. Both Smith and Walker’s DNA was found on the alleged murder weapon.

Smith, 38,  pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm. His murder charge and gun possession charges were dismissed on June 6.

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff accepted Smith’s plea under the condition that he remains in the high intensity supervision program, registers as a gun offender and pays a fine.

Smith’s original trial date and status hearings were suspended. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 5.