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By
Elizabeth Brady [former]
- December 5, 2024
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DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun rejected Dec. 4 a defendant’s motion to withdraw a guilty plea due to mental incompetence.
Raymond Avent, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the death of 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins in the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE on March 23, 2019.
Keith Baham, 25, and Tyler Stringfield, 26, also co-defendants in this matter, who were present during the hearing, and are facing the same charges.
During the hearing, Avent was declared competent, in effect denying Avent’s motion to rescind the guilty plea. However, his defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, said the defense would challenge the ruling and file motion by Dec. 15.
On March 15, Avent pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or place of business, for his involvement in the fatal shooting.
On Aug. 29, a week before his sentencing hearing, Elizabeth Weller, Avent’s defense attorney, submitted a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, stating that “Avent apparently struggles with some cognitive limitations and reading and verbal comprehension.”
According to court documents, video footage showed three suspects exit a vehicle, point guns at Hawkins, and fire multiple rounds. The suspects re-entered the vehicle and fled the scene. Later, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers canvassing the scene found 34 shell casings.
Avent is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, and conspiracy, for his alleged involvement in a DC Jail stabbing on June 3, 2021, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.
Through a plea deal, Avent’s stabbing case would be dismissed at sentencing.
The parties are set to reconvene on Feb. 14.