The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 61-year-old Matthew Lee Murphy in connection with a shooting on Oct. 27 on the 4900 block of Ayers Place, SE. The incident involved 1 surviving victim who was found with a gunshot wound and transported to a hospital. Murphy was apprehended on the 4500 block of Benning Road, NE and charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) after a search of his residence revealed a loaded firearm.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on Oct. 25 in Northwest. Jermaine McGee-Holmes, 27, was found with gunshot wounds in an apartment on the 3200 block of Hiatt Place and later died from his injuries on Oct. 27. No suspect information is available at this time.
DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld heard contrasting views and testimony from the victim in an armed carjacking case on Oct. 28.
Marcus Tucker, 30, is charged with armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense, robbery while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon. The charges stem from Tucker’s alleged involvement in the armed carjacking of a victim at the intersection of 30th and Hartford Streets, SE, on April 17.
Prosecutors allege that Tucker was one of two men who held the victim at gunpoint, robbing him of his phone, money, and car before fleeing the scene. Defense attorneys Laura Roman and Jason Tulley contend that Tucker was misidentified and had no involvement in the crime.
“Don’t move, give me that sh**,” prosecutors claimed Tucker told the victim moments before being robbed. According to the prosecution, the victim was standing outside with friends when two men approached him, one masked and one unmasked, pointed guns at his head and chest, and demanded his belongings.
The attackers allegedly took the victim’s phone, wallet, and car keys before driving off in his vehicle and another black Kia parked nearby. Investigators later identified Tucker as the owner of the Kia.
Prosecutors said that the victim used a friend’s phone to contact police and track his stolen iPhone through the “Find My iPhone” feature, which eventually led officers to Tucker. Police detained him after the victim confirmed that Tucker matched the description of the unmasked gunman—specifically noting his “all white clothing” and black jacket.
Investigators reported finding the victim’s personal items, including his Social Security card, driver’s license, and credit cards, inside Tucker’s vehicle. Prosecutors also stated that Tucker’s phone records placed him near the crime scene around the time of the incident.
The prosecution warned jurors that the defense might focus on the victim’s prior criminal cases but argued that the evidence, including cell-site data, recovered belongings, and police body-camera footage, would corroborate the victim’s account.
Defense attorneys Roman and Tulley maintained that Tucker was not involved in the carjacking or robbery, arguing that another individual had borrowed his vehicle that night. They emphasized that no forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA, or surveillance footage, links Tucker to the crime.
Roman and Tulley argued that the victim’s identification of Tucker was unreliable, claiming that he had been drinking earlier that evening and had changed his description of the suspects multiple times. Initially, the victim told police both gunmen wore all black, but later said they were dressed in white, blue, grey, and black.
Roman and Tulley also presented a photo of another man whom the victim allegedly identified at one point as the assailant. This man, the defense noted, has no tattoos and different facial features from Tucker. They argued that police procedures may have influenced the victim’s identification, since he was shown only Tucker, surrounded by police, when he confirmed that Tucker was the gunman.
The defense further questioned the police investigation, noting that the lead detective had not reviewed all available video evidence and asserting that the cell-site data contradicts the prosecution’s timeline, showing Tucker’s phone connecting to a different cell tower than the one nearest the crime scene.
Following opening statements, prosecutors called on the victim to testify.
According to the victim, earlier on April 17, he was briefly detained by police for possessing an open container of tequila. Video shown to the jury depicted his arrest and subsequent release at a nearby station, where he was issued a citation. The victim said he was not charged and later met friends and relatives that evening.
The victim stated that while talking with a cousin near his parked car, two men rushed him with guns. He described one man as masked and the other, whom he identified in court as Tucker, as unmasked. According to the victim, the robbers took his wallet, keys, and phone before fleeing in two vehicles.
After the incident, the victim used his cousin’s phone to call 911, telling police that both assailants were Black, dressed in black and armed with black pistols. Police body-camera footage and subsequent recordings show the victim giving height and build estimates for the suspects.
He testified he later tracked his stolen phone using “Find My iPhone” and relayed its location to detectives. A detective contacted him with a description of Tucker, and the victim confirmed that it matched the unmasked gunman before visually seeing him. A video played in court showed the victim in a police vehicle identifying Tucker from a distance and saying he was “100% confident” in his identification.
Prosecutors noted that the victim was not wearing his glasses during the carjacking but said he did not need them to recognize the suspect.
Before beginning the jury selection process, parties discussed the suppression of cellphone evidence for a witness. Defense attorneys Tulley and Roman requested that a photo of a cellphone’s location, which was a screenshot of an iPhone’s location, be adjusted so only the exact pinpointed location was shown, and not a broader circle that accounted for location error.
“I’m not going to alter evidence at the defense’s request,” Judge Hertzfeld said.
The parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 29.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause in a fatal shooting case on Oct 23.
Jaheim Brown, 24, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Christopher Robinson, 28, on the 5500 block of B Street, SE, on Nov. 20, 2024.
In a hearing to determine probable cause, the prosecution claimed that it had “more than established” the that Brown shot Robinson.
According to the prosecution, there was a series of text communications between “Heim,” who they claim is the defendant’s nickname, and an eyewitness who was present during the shooting and had attempted to de-escalate the situation. These communications placed both individuals at the crime scene in the hours before the shooting. They also placed both individuals fleeing the scene immediately after the crime.
The prosecution also addressed an argument the defense made in a prior hearing, which was that the shooting was done in self-defense because Robinson had turned around to face the shooter before being shot, as shown in recovered Ring camera footage.
The prosecution argued the shooter had “pursued” Robinson, who was walking away from him, and that Robinson’s walking away would not have created the fear that would support a self-defense argument.
Defense attorney Kevin Mosley argued that the prosecution had “failed to meet even the very low threshold” for probable cause. Regarding the text conversations, Mosley stated that they only placed Brown near the crime scene, but did nothing to prove that he shot Robinson.
Mosley also argued against the eyewitness testimony. He claimed that the witness had “significant credibility issues” and was “deeply compromised,” having lied during a police interview and given officers three different accounts of the incident.
He also claimed that there was no physical evidence linking Brown to the offense, such as DNA. or images of him holding a firearm, and that there was no history “suggesting hostility or conflict” between Brown and Robinson that would implicate Brown.
Mosley responded to the prosecution’s arguments against self-defense, claiming that the witness described Robinson’s behavior as “strange,” and noted that drugs had been found in Robinson’s system.
Judge Ryan claimed that the Ring camera footage from the incident “establishes a number of things.” According to Judge Ryan, the footage disproved the defense’s self-defense argument because it showed Robinson walking away before being shot. He noted that Robinson turning around is “hardly indicative of self-defense,” and that the shooter following Robinson before shooting him was “gratuitous” and without an “obvious antecedent.”
Judge Ryan said that the “real question” in the case was whether to believe the eyewitness’ statements and identification of Brown as the shooter. Judge Ryan agreed that the person “lied several times” and was a “reluctant witness.” However, he found that the court could “look at the points of independent corroboration” to decide whether to believe the witness.
According to Judge Ryan, the witness claimed Robinson was “on some junky shit” but didn’t have a gun, and also stated that Brown did have a weapon that he pointed at Robinson, which the video also corroborated.
The judge noted that the witness accurately identified Robinson, another witness, Brown, and Brown’s car, which they would have no way of knowing without knowledge of the incident.
Regarding the witness’ unreliability, Judge Ryan noted that the witness said that he would die when he went home, “presumably for making the statement.”
Judge Ryan ultimately found that the witness’ statements were “quite consistent” with the footage from the Ring camera, and that the “points of independent corroboration” were “significant.”
He found probable cause for first-degree murder, and further found that Brown went to the scene “intending to kill Mr. Robinson.”
The prosecution argued against Brown’s release, citing the nature of the charge and the defendant’s past criminal history, which included a firearm conviction, and argued that firearm convictions are often “prerequisites” and “resume points” for homicide defendants. The prosecution also noted that, despite Brown’s “great and loving family,” he still allegedly decided to kill Robinson.
Mosley requested Brown’s release on 24-hour home confinement. He showed the judge seven letters of support from Brown’s family, and noted that the family had attended multiple hearings, calling Brown “well-surrounded.” He also explained that Brown worked willingly with the police during the investigation and was not a flight risk.
Judge Ryan responded that the defendant was actually not cooperative with the police, noting that, during an interview, Brown had “suddenly” forgotten the name of his child’s mother.
Regarding his flight risk, Judge Ryan claimed that Brown has a “significant incentive” to flee now that he is facing murder charges. While he appreciated the letters of support, Judge Ryan noted that he was not locking Brown up for his character, but for his crime.
Judge Ryan found that there were no conditions he could enforce to release Brown, and that watching the video of the shooting made it very difficult to imagine that Brown is not a danger to the community.
Parties are set to return on Jan. 16.
DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz allowed a stabbing defendant to remain on probation, despite multiple violations on Oct. 24.
On May 25, 2022, Gabriel Esquina, 23, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly for his involvement in the stabbing of his child’s mother that occurred on Dec. 29, 2022 on the 2800 block of Myrtle Avenue NE.
On Sept. 15, 2022, Esquina was sentenced to 60 months confinement under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) with all but 48 months suspended. The YRA allows for a defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.
Esquina was also required to take anger management classes, complete a mental health assessment, and was given a special stay away order from his parents as part of his sentence.
Esquina appeared for his first probation show-cause hearing on Aug. 20, and was given an opportunity by the Community Service Officer (CSO) to work on his compliance for 60 days.
After 60 days, Esquina’s CSO said that she had seen improvement with Esquina’s compliance, and that he had been making strides in keeping appointments and maintaining communication and that Esquina had also successfully completed his mental health assessment on Oct. 16.
However, she noted that Esquina had missed a virtual visit on Oct. 22, and had a questionable drug test result on Oct. 21 that was not within the normal range. Esquina’s most recent drug test from Oct. 23 came back negative.
It was recommended by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) to Judge Kravitz that another show-cause hearing be scheduled in 60 days in order to ensure full compliance, to which there were no objections.
Esquina’s defense attorney, Henry Escoto, requested that Esquina’s current stay-away order from his parents be lifted. Escoto told Judge Kravitz that he had spoken with them multiple times within the past week, and both of them were adamant to keep the order in force.
Judge Kravitz notified the defense that as a late entrant, he did not have enough information to properly rule without a written motion from the defense, to which they agreed.
Parties are slated to convene on Jan. 16.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are searching for 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas, who is wanted in connection with two homicide investigations. On June 30, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, was fatally shot in the 1200 block of 7th Street, NW, and two others were injured. Lucas is also a suspect in the July 4 death of 17-year-old Zoey Kelley, who was found with a gunshot wound in a residence on Benning Road, NE. Lucas faces charges of First-Degree Murder while Armed in both cases.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 55-year-old Thurman Williams, who was allegedly involved in a shooting incident on Oct. 17 in the 1100 block of 1st Street, NW. Williams was charged with Assault With A Dangerous Weapon, Carrying A Pistol Without A License, and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition after officers identified and apprehended him following a positive identification.
DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur released a stabbing defendant on electronic monitoring on Oct. 23, after he waived a preliminary hearing.
Daniel Crook, 31, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident that occurred on Oct. 19, on the 1900 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE.
During the hearing, defense attorney Everland Thompson alerted the court of Crook’s intent to waive.
The prosecution requested that the defendant be held due to the nature of the case. The defense opposed detention, arguing that a hold was unnecessary because of conflicting accounts of the incident and emphasizing that Crook is employed, has a GED, no prior criminal convictions, and has no previous contact with the criminal justice system.
The prosecution rebutted, citing that the defendant allegedly charged at the victim with a knife, thus highly concerning and indicative of a risk of re-offense if released.
Judge Arthur ruled that the defendant released, subject to GPS monitoring, and a stay-away order from both the complainant and the incident location.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 24.
DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur granted the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) additional time to evaluate the state of mind of a shooting defendant on Oct. 23.
Jonathan Jones, 39, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 700 block of 8th Street, NW, on Feb. 8, 2023. No injuries were reported.
At the hearing, Judge Arthur informed Jones and his defense attorney, Henry Druschel, that the mental observation hearing would be continued for a new date.
According to Judge Arthur, the DBH requested additional time in completing a mental competence examination of Jones.
According to court documents, “the court, having found that the defendant’s placement in an inpatient treatment facility is necessary in order to conduct an adequate examination, or that the defendant is unlikely to comply with an order for an outpatient examination, this examination shall be conducted on an inpatient basis, and the defendant is committed to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for the purpose of such examination.”
Judge Arthur granted the DBH’s request for more time.
In order to stand trial, a person must understand the charges against him and be able to help his attorney defend the case.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 14.
DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro issued a bench warrant for a shooting defendant after he failed to appear for a scheduled re-sentencing hearing on Oct. 22.
On Jan. 31, 2023, Joseph Washington, 22, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Oct. 8, 2022 on the 5000 block of Astor Place, SE.
On April 20, 2023, he was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment, with all but three months suspended.
However, Washington faced multiple probation violations. In July 2025, a notice of noncompliance and order to show cause were filed, followed by a bench warrant in August that was later quashed after he appeared in court.
Judge Di Toro previously warned Washington about continued probation violations.
Judge Di Toro issued another bench warrant after Washington failed to appear for sentencing in court for his scheduled hearing. The court cited his prior Youth Rehabilitation Act(YRA) sentence– meaning that a conviction will be sealed upon successful completion–repeated probation violations, and prior failure to appear as justification for the warrant.
The judge ordered that sentencing will be rescheduled upon Washington’s arrest.
A stabbing defendant failed to appear for his trial, prompting DC Superior Court Justice Robert Salerno to issue a warrant for his arrest on Oct. 21.
William Clark, 45, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts carrying a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW on Sept. 9, 2023. One person was injured during the incident.
According to court documents, the stabbing allegedly occurred because Clark became irate upon seeing the victims stand near his parked e-bike. Clark is alleged to have drawn a knife during a verbal altercation with the victims and chased one away before turning and stabbing the other in the abdomen, according to court documents.
Parties in Clark’s case arrived to court on Oct. 21 ready to select a jury and deliver opening statements for a stabbing incident that is now more than two years old. Missing from the proceedings, though, was Clark himself whose absence could not be explained by his attorney, Steven Polin.
Judge Salerno quickly issued a bench warrant for Clark, who had also missed the previous day’s pre-trial hearing. While issuing the warrant, Judge Salerno said he could understand why Clark may have missed the pre-trial hearing but that there was no explanation for failing to appear on his first day of trial.
“I don’t understand why he’s not here this morning,” Judge Salerno said.
Clark has been arrested off of bench warrants twice previously in this case, according to court documents.
Parties are slated to reconvene when US Marshals have Clark in custody.
DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld postponed a carjacker’s sentencing on Oct. 22, so that she could complete her General Educational Development (GED) exams–equivalent to a high school diploma– in the DC Jail.
On June 2, Tamika Burriss, 36, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit robbery while armed for her involvement in a carjacking on the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW, on Feb. 17, 2024.
During an Oct. 22 hearing, defense attorney Quiana Harris requested that the hearing be continued to another date. She argued that the defendant would like to stay in the DC Jail because she is one math class short of completing her GED and that she will finish the course in 30 days.
Without hearing the prosecution’s objection, Judge Hertzfeld decided to continue the hearing, sympathizing with Burriss.
“Two points, that’s frustrating,” Judge Hertzfeld said. “I know you’ve been working hard, it’s for your benefit.”
Harris also announced her plan to file a motion to reevaluate sentencing per Burriss’ request.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Dec. 11 for sentencing.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 32-year-old Clarence Edward Jones, Jr., for the alleged involvement in a fatal shooting in Southeast. The incident occurred on March 27, when officers found 29-year-old Benjamin Mingo deceased from a gunshot wound on the 3800 block of 1st Street, SE. Jones has been charged with First-Degree Murder While Armed (Premeditated).
Hundreds of social media posts were the focus of a multi-defendant conspiracy, carjacking case before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Oct. 21 and 22.
Irshaad Ellis-Bey, 20, Isaiah Flowers, 20, Taj Giles, 20, Bryon Gillum, 20, Jahkai Goff, 21, Jaelen Jordan, 20, and Warren Montgomery, 20, are charged with conspiracy, trafficking stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery while armed. These charges stem from the co-defendants alleged involvement in a series of armed carjackings and fencing the stolen vehicles between February and May of 2023.
One of the carjackings occurred on Feb. 27, 2023 at the intersection of 20th Street and Sunderland Place, NW. Another at the intersection of K and 8th Street, NE, on April 27, 2023.
Additionally, Ellis-Bey, Flowers, Giles, Gillum, Goff, and Jordan are charged with two additional counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed carjacking of a senior citizen, receiving stolen property of $1000 or more, and robbery of a senior citizen while armed. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 600 block of Butternut Street, NW, on May 16, 2023.
Prosecutors stated their intention to enter 411 posts from the defendants’ Instagram accounts, would including messages, photos, videos, and audio recordings. They also stated that 100 are gun related.
However, Judge Kravitz emphasized, “this is not going to be a trial about guns. This is a trial about carjackings.”
Further he said, “I will not let the prosecution flood the jury with evidence that sends the message that this is a group of thugs who smoke weed and play with guns.”
Lisbeth Sapirstein, the attorney for Ellis-Bey, also voiced concerns over the possible prejudicial nature of the photos that are said to depict the defendants holding guns, smoking marijuana and holding large amounts of cash.
Judge Kravitz stated that he will allow a few pictures of firearms to be entered as limited evidence only if the prosecution can establish a strong temporal relationship between the photos and the alleged conspiracy.
Further evidence from Instagram consists of a group chat, labelled Fent Colony, which the defendants allegedly used to discuss criminal activity. The section was from Feb. 27, 2023, and involved the men allegedly discussing the theft of a Porsche Cayenne from the Dupont Circle area.
Multiple attorneys from the defense, objected to the material as hearsay or were not relevant.
The prosecution argued that the inclusion of these chats is necessary to prove the the defendant’s close relationships.
Prosecutors cited Laumer v. US, stating that since the men were making statements against their own penal interests –risking criminal liability –they can be excepted from the hearsay rule. Judge Kravitz disagreed, and said that since they were not in custody nor knew that these statements would be used in court, that precedent does not apply.
Judge Kravitz asked for cooperation among all parties when negotiating which parts of the group chat will be shown to the jury. He stated they cannot object to all of the messages being entered, nor can the prosecution admit everything into evidence.
Parties reconvened on Oct. 22 to further discuss motions.
In total, eleven objections to the exhibits from Instagram were raised by every defendant except Montgomery, who is not mentioned. The defense wants to redact chats among defendants and block the use of photos where the prosecution stated they are holding guns or drugs, as well as a video where two defendants are said to be in a stolen vehicle.
Additionally, the prosecution’s exhibits include a picture of Gillum’s report card from Charles Herbert Flowers High School in addition to a “No Pass Policy” that he was put on– which stems from students’ continuous failure to appear in school.
Gillum shared this information on his Instagram story with the caption, “man they put me on the no pass policy.” The prosecution explained that by eliciting this into evidence, they can use it to associate Gillum with the account he was using.
Prosecutors stated that they still have between 35 and 40 objections to sort out before the court, which has pushed back jury selection to Oct. 27.
Trial is set to reconvene on Oct. 23.
DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman sentenced a homicide defendant to 11 years of imprisonment despite objections from the victim’s family on Oct. 17.
De’Andre Sams, 29, pleaded guilty on Aug. 14 to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Matthew Miller on Sept. 5, 2023 on the 200 block of M Street, SW. Miller’s death resulted from an attempted robbery and two additional individuals sustained gunshot wounds.
Keshawn Lavender, 24, and Raymond Mathis, 38, also face charges for their alleged involvement in the incident. They are both charged with conspiracy, first-degree felony murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, attempted robbery while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm while armed.
As part of Sams’ plea deal, prosecutors agreed to a prison sentence of eight-and-a-half-to-13 years, contingent upon Judge Edelman’s acceptance.
At sentencing, Miller’s mother expressed, “Me and my daughter are not the same persons anymore, we walk around as shells of a person, pretending to be okay.” The mother said her only comfort was knowing her son did not suffer.
Miller’s mother noted that although Sams’ is incarcerated, his family can still visit him. “I have to visit my son in a graveyard,” she said.
“Finding my way through this grief I’m stuck with feels like trying to swim through concrete,” expressed Miller’s sister.
Miller’s sister described the case as a “miscarriage of justice” with “so little time, so little punishment.”
“They committed this cruel act completely out of selfishness and material desire. Please understand that these defendants will commit these same crimes again,” said Miller’s sister.
Miller’s godmother asked Judge Edelman “Your Honor, I am humbly asking you to let justice prevail, no slap on the wrist.”
Miller’s family members all requested Judge Edelman impose the maximum sentence on Sams.
After statements from Miller’s family, Judge Edelman implored why the prosecutor requested the sentence range in light of the tremendous impact on the family.
The prosecutor informed the judge the case had a “hole in the evidence” that created a litigation risk and the possibility of Sams’ acquittal if they proceeded to trial.
According to the prosecutor, Sams’ attempt to commit a robbery led to a gunfight in which Miller died, but there is no direct evidence of what occurred in the apartment.
The prosecutor requested Judge Edelman sentence Sams’ to 13 years of imprisonment.
Jessica Willis, Sams’ attorney, acknowledged the grief, anger, and frustration of Miller’s family and said Sams wrote them an apology letter. Willis asserted that based on their statements, Miller’s family might not understand the facts of the case.
According to Willis, the apartment had $90,000, 100 pounds of marijuana, and various guns when Sams’ and others attempted to commit the robbery that led to Miller’s death. Sams’ accepted responsibility for his conduct in the robbery but claimed he did not initiate or participate in the gunfight.
“Sams himself did not assault or shoot anyone,” declared Willis.
Willis claimed the evidence pointed to Deandre Christian, 31, as the person who fired the shot that killed Miller. Christian was originally charged with assault with intent to kill but pleaded guilty on Nov. 8, 2024 to felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
After discussing the defense’s theory of the case, Willis emphasized who Sams is as a person. She noted he suffered instability throughout his life but is currently devoted to his two children despite his incarceration.
Willis requested Sams’ serve an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence.
Judge Edelman acknowledged the difficult nature of determining a sentence in the case and that “an innocent life was lost in a tragic way.”
“The grief of Miller’s family is palpable,” said the judge.
Judge Edelman noted the seriousness of the crime but said the plea deal accounted for the lack of clarity surrounding who shot first and the events that transpired inside the apartment.
Judge Edelman sentenced Sams’ to 11 years of imprisonment with five years of supervised release. Sams will be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon his release. No further dates were set for Sams.
Prior to Sams’ sentencing, the prosecution extended plea deals to Lavender and Mathis. The deals would require them to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. The prosecutor, in exchange, would dismiss all other charges and agree to a prison sentence of nine years for Lavender and eight-to-12 years for Mathis.
Mathis’ attorney, Carrie Weletz, informed parties that Mathis rejected the plea deal and opted to proceed to trial.
Lavender’s attorney, Kevin Irving, requested more time for his client to consider the offer.
Parties for Lavender are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 12.
