Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder Charges

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A murder defendant accepted a plea agreement during her status hearing Feb. 13 for second-degree murder while armed. She was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Nijinsky Dix, 39, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed for shooting Terry Hickman on Nov. 14, 2020, on the 1000 block of 4th Street, NW.

Three members of the victim’s family were going to testify at the status hearing. However, after DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo informed the family that they would also have the opportunity to give victim impact statements at the hearing, only the daughter of the victim wished to speak.

The daughter of the victim expressed the family’s disappointment with the plea agreement’s sentence because “18 years is not enough.”

However, she noted that the family accepted the plea as to avoid the further turmoil relating to their loss that would result from a trial. She concluded her statement by requesting that Judge Demeo consider the nature of the case.

According to court documents, police arrived at the scene after 911 calls stating there were gunshots at an apartment building. The defendant refused to open the door to police, leaving them to use a master key to access the apartment. Upon entering the apartment, MPD found Hickman lying face down after being shot five times. The defendant was at the scene holding a firearm in her hand.

By taking the plea agreement, Dix waived her right to a trial and DNA testing, avoiding the 30-year maximum sentence that could have been imposed if found guilty. During the hearing, Dix’s defense attorney Brandi Harden said Dix accepted the guilty charge as the defendant acted in conscious disregard when shooting 44-year-old Hickman.

Judge Demeo accepted the plea deal. However, she noted that the sentence outlined in the deal was not binding and was subject to change at the judge’s discretion during the sentencing hearing.

While scheduling the sentencing hearing, the defense requested that the original trial date in late October be converted to the sentencing. However, Judge Demeo denied this request as it was simply too far in the future.

The sentencing hearing is slated for June 9.

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