Murder Sentencing Delayed Due to Defendant Being Stuck in Jail Cell

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A murder defendant’s Nov. 3 sentencing hearing was rescheduled again after US Marshals and the DC Jail Board told the judge they could not bring him to court due to a mechanical issue with his jail cell door.

Steven Robinson is convicted of second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 28-year-old Shanika Williams on July 12, 2020, on the 800 block of 19th Street, NE. As part of the plea deal he took, prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 10-12 years, D.C. Witness previously reported.

Williams’ family appeared in court to speak at the sentencing, but DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz was informed that the door to Robison’s jail cell was jammed.

This is the third time Robinson’s sentencing has been rescheduled. He was first scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 3 but it was moved to Oct. 8 due to parties wanting to have an in-person hearing. The Oct. 8 date was then moved to Nov. 3 due to the defendant being in quarantine at DC Jail, according to court documents.

Robinson is now scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 4.

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