Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Killing Ex-Girlfriend

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A murder defendant took a last minute plea deal for second-degree murder for killing his ex-girlfriend

Ronald Randolph pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for shooting Shameka Delphine Jones, 32, on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on July 22, 2017.

During a trial readiness hearing Nov. 13, Randolph’s defense counsel, Madalyn Harvey, told DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman that Randolph, 42, would take a plea deal.

According to the plea agreement, all other charges would be dropped.

The prosecution and defense agreed upon a sentence of 20-28 years in prison. The exact sentence is up to the discretion of Judge Edelman. 

Under the District of Columbia voluntary sentencing guidelines, Randolph could have been sentenced up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder while armed.

“I feel satisfied you have entered into this guilty plea willingly” said Judge Edelman 

Randolph is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 31, 2020.