Murder Defendant Decides Against Pleading Guilty

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A murder defendant decided against entering a guilty plea on July 20.

Terell Kevonte Blackman, 27, and Devin Smith, who is also known as Devin Hill, are charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 28-year-old Michael Cunningham on Nov. 29, 2020, on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE.

Smith, 26, was going to accept a plea deal that would have allowed him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed, but it broke down in court and defense attorney Roderick Thompson asked for more time to go over the deal with his client.

DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee continued the hearing to Aug. 25.