Murder Defendant Rejects Pre-Preliminary Plea Offer

By Marissa Stambaugh [former] , Radhakund Ramnarine [former] - October 22, 2024
Carjacking | Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found probable cause in a shooting defendant’s case on Oct. 18, after the defendant rejected a pre-preliminary plea offer. 

Maleek Thomas, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Melvin Dock Jr., on Oct. 30, 2023, on the 4300 block of Halley Terrace, SE. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident and survived. 

According to court documents, while officers were reporting to the scene, an individual, who had been shot, flagged them down. This individual was transported to the hospital in stable condition. While the investigation continued, Dock was taken to the hospital, and succumbed to his injuries. 

During the hearing, prosecutors offered Thomas a global pre-preliminary plea offer, which applied to multiple pending cases, stating that if Thomas pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and felony possession then the prosecution would agree to withhold indictment, not pursue a first-degree murder charge, and dismiss all other the charges in two misdemeanor cases. 

If Thomas accepted the plea deal, he would face a range of 18-to-26 years in prison.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective provided an in-court identification of Thomas at the scene of the crime and as a suspect. He testified that the defendant allegedly admitted to the crime.

According to the detective’s testimony and the affidavit, Dock was originally present at the scene of the crime, not as the victim but as Thomas’ partner. The two would allegedly attempt to commit an armed carjacking.

However, when Dock  encouraged Thomas to shoot the owner of the vehicle, when attempting to drive away, Thomas shot both the owner of the car and Dock, the detective said. The owner of the vehicle survived. 

One witness, who was said to be involved romantically with Thomas, said the defendant confessed to shooting his friend, who later died from his injuries, during a FaceTime chat. 

The detective confirmed this, but could not confirm whether the witness had any bad blood towards Thomas leading up to the incident and testimony.

Defense attorney Howard McEachern questioned the legitimacy of the confession and if the witness had any involvement in the case.

The detective could only confirm that the witness had made the statement because he did not conduct the questioning.