Homicide, Carjacking Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

A homicide defendant, who killed one and injured another, accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Hahqwon Beale, 25, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, and armed carjacking, for his involvement in a carjacking and shooting incident.

The shooting, which killed 43-year-old George Johnson, and injured another individual occurred on May 7, 2018, on the 800 block of Oglethorpe Street, NE.

Hours later, a pizza delivery man was carjacked and robbed of more than 300 dollars at gunpoint on the 400 block of Farragut Street, NW.

In October of 2022, DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee granted the defendant’s motion to sever the two incidents from one another, citing that, although the incidents occurred the same day, they were not directly after one another.

On Feb. 15, a jury convicted Beale of armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the carjacking incident.

On April 23, Beale’s attorney, Julie Swaney, informed the court that the prosecution had extended a plea offer to resolve the murder incident, and Beale accepted it.

The deal required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges in connection to the murder incident. Through the plea offer, parties agreed to a 21-to-25 years of imprisonment, and will request for the carjacking charges to run concurrently.

He is also waiving his right to appeal the carjacking incident conviction.

According to the prosecution, they would have proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Beale was guilty by connecting him to the evidence collected at the scene.

Parties are slated to return July 26 for sentencing.

Judge Finds Probable Cause In Presentment Hearing for Defendant Charged with Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover found that the prosecution provided sufficient evidence to detain a shooting defendant in an initial presentment hearing on April 22.

Alonte Miller, 21, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting that took place on Saturday, April 20 on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE and injured two females.

According to court documents, the shooting stemmed from a verbal and physical altercation regarding one of the victims refusing to “hook up” with Miller’s friend.

During his presentment hearing, Judge Glover found probable cause for the two charges Miller faces and ordered him detained pending further proceedings.

Parties are expected to return on April 25, 2024 for a preliminary hearing.

Shooting Defendant Who Told Victim, ‘I’ll Just Shoot You in the Face,’ Accepts Plea Deal

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld accepted a guilty plea for a non-fatal shooting defendant, who told the complainant, “I’ll just shoot you in the face,” during an argument.

Donte Dawson, 32, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in two separate incidents, a non-fatal shooting on Sept. 29 and an assault with a dangerous weapon on Oct. 2, 2023, both occurring on the 400 Block of Melon Street, SE. No injuries were reported in either incident.

According to court documents, the argument on October 2 was about the shooting that occurred on Sept. 29, when Dawson shot a gun towards the ground in front of the complainant.

Dawson reportedly became agitated and stated to the complainant, “If I shot at you, why you not dead,” before raising a gun to her face stating that he was going to shoot her. A bystander tackled Dawson before police arrived.

During the hearing on April 23, Albert Amissah, Dawson’s attorney, stated that Dawson intended to enter a plea agreement with the prosecution.

The deal required Dawson to plead guilty to assault with a deadly weapon, with a maximum sentence of eight years, in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges.

The prosecution asserted that, had the case gone to trial, they would have proven beyond reasonable doubt that Dawson had shot in the victim’s direction on Sept. 29, and pointed a gun at her at a later date. They argued that there is no legal justification for Dawson’s action.

Judge Hertzfeld informed Dawson that he would also be required to register as a gun offender in the District of Columbia.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 28.

Shooting Defendant Waives Right to Preliminary Hearing, Then Detained

A shooting defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Heide Hermann on April 22.

Theodore Williams II, 52, is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 4000 block of Wahler Court, SE on April 18. No injuries were reported.

According to the prosecutor who proceeded with the case, Williams approached the complainant with a handgun pointed in his direction. As a result, the complainant yelled obscenities, causing Williams to retreat to his residence.

After running back to his own residence, the victim saw an individual, who was identified as Williams, point a handgun in his direction, firing a single shot, striking his door. A bullet fragment and shell casing were later recovered from the scene.

“No one was hit, thankfully,” he said, “but a bullet hole was found in the complainant’s door.”

According to Williams’ defense attorney, Megan Allburn, her client had a strained relationship with the complainant for almost seven years, explaining that there had been multiple arguments between the two, though none became physical.

She said the years of disagreement caused Williams’ family to leave the neighborhood and move elsewhere.

“My client’s family has lived in this neighborhood for 23 years,” said Allburn. “They are about to close on a new house elsewhere.” She alerted the court that in addition to the problems with his neighbor, Williams was also suffering separate trauma from losing two of his children in the past three years.

Allburn asked that Judge Hermann be lenient given the support from his family and his trauma.

According to the prosecution, the shooting wasn’t spontaneous. They alerted the court they had received cell-phone video from the complainant which allegedly showed Williams brandishing a firearm during an argument days before the shooting.

Judge Hermann explained that given the seriousness of the offense committed, and Williams’ criminal history, including multiple arrests for firearm and assault charges, she believed he is a threat to the community, and ordered him detained pending future proceedings.

Parties will reconvene for May 7.

Co-Defendants Charged in 60-Year-Old Man’s Death Waive Right To DNA Testing

Homicide co-defendants waived their right to independent DNA testing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe in an April 23 hearing.

Ky’lee Palmer, 23, and Aaron Adgerson, 19, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for allegedly shooting 60-year-old Barron Goodwin on Feb. 12, 2020, on the 800 block of 51st Street, SE.

Palmer is also charged with tampering with physical evidence, and destruction of property worth $1,000 or more, kidnapping while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict.

During the hearing David Alkulian, Palmer’s defense attorney, and Michael Madden, Adgerson’s defense attorney, alerted Judge O’Keefe they were waiving their right to independently test DNA evidence.

The prosecution noted they did DNA testing on the victim’s burned vehicle, objects inside the vehicle and strands of hair. According to the prosecution, all results were inconclusive.

Judge O’Keefe addressed both defendants and directly asked them if they were sure they didn’t want any DNA testing, to which they both agreed.

Parties are slated to return Aug. 2.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Post-Party Non-Fatal Shooting

A defendant accepted a plea deal, extended by prosecutors, in connection to a shooting before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on April 23.

Paul Poston, 30, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on October 29, 2023, at the intersection of O Street and Carrollsburg Place, SW. No one was injured during the incident.

According to court documents, Poston and his co-defendant, Gerald Day, 32, shot at the victim’s car after a fight broke out following a party.

Day rejected a plea offer by the prosecution on March 5 and asserted his right to a speedy trial.

However, Poston’s attorney, Peter Odom, alerted the court that Poston accepted the deal which required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment on additional charges.

Judge Di Toro asked Poston questions to ensure he understood the terms of the plea agreement and the rights he was giving up.

Parties are expected to return for sentencing on June 26.

Judge Denies Motion to Suppress Evidence in Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a shooting defendant’s motion to suppress statements made to law enforcement at the time of his arrest.

Ronnel Offutt, 35, is charged with four counts of assault with intention to kill while armed, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that injured multiple people at a bus stop on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Feb. 4, 2019. Five individuals, including a 5-year-old girl, were injured.

Offutt’s defense attorney, Janai Reed, argued a lack of probable cause at the time of Offutt’s arrest in that officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) showed up at his home at 3 am not providing sufficient reason for his arrest.

They also raised concerns about Offutt’s taking pain medication for a previous injury at the hospital, before an interview with the police.

Reed further argued detectives coerced Offutt during questioning. She claimed they misled him by suggesting he needed to sign paperwork before receiving information and failed to inform him of his right to refuse a buccal swab to connect his DNA to other evidence recovered at the scene.

According to court documents when one of the detectives asked Offutt if he was informed of his rights he stated “No, oh wait yeah yeah”.

The defense illustrated Offutt’s confusion when he said, “I need to talk to somebody, I need to figure out what’s going on.”

On April 23, Judge Raffinan denied the defense’s motion to suppress Offutt’s statements during his interview and information from his buccal swab, declaring that there was probable cause to arrest Offutt.

Additionally, Judge Raffinan indicated that she did not find that police coerced Offutt and all statements made during his arrest and interview were voluntary.

According to court documents, Offutt is “no novice to the criminal system” and Judge Raffinan noted his extensive criminal history.

Parties are slated to return on July 27 and trial is set for Sept. 8.

Witness Describes Path of Suspect Vehicle in Murder, Conspiracy Trial

Prosecutors in a murder, conspiracy trial continued to build their case by introducing GPS data that tracked a suspect vehicle as it moved to a crime scene and was finally abandoned.

Later in the April 22 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt, police presented firearm evidence in an effort to link the suspects to weapons used in the shooting.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with the intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020 on the 600 block of S Street, NW. The shooting also left a second juvenile victim located in the vicinity suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg.

The case also involves alleged co-conspirators Reginald Steele, 24, and Aaron Brown, 27.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has attempted to connect Jackson, Freeman, and Nelson to additional shootings that occurred on Feb. 22, Feb. 24, and a second shooting on March 1, 2020. The prosecution alleges a firearm conspiracy by the defendants in which they tried to get specific weapons used in Lukes’ homicide.

The prosecution recalled an FBI agent to authenticate Global Positioning System (GPS) data points for the suspect vehicle, a 2016 Kia Soul, from March 1, between the hours of three am and three pm. The car was stolen from a rental company and was equipped with a tracking device.

The agent confirmed that the vehicle stopped at multiple locations, including the 1800 block of Bruce Place, SE, and the 2600 block of Douglas Road, SE, which are alleged to be homes of Jackson and Freeman.

The GPS data points also showed stops at a BP gas station, and “various routes before circling around the area prior to coming back to the 9th Street address,” traveling westbound and stopping on the 600 block of S Street, NW, around the time that Lukes was shot. Finally, the vehicle traveled towards the 500 block of Lamont Street, NW, where it was abandoned.

The agent stated that each GPS data point was peer-reviewed by one of his colleagues, and double-checked to confirm consistency.

The prosecution also called an MPD detective who executed a search warrant on May 29, 2020 on the 1800 block of Bruce Place, SE. During the search, a baseball cap and a firearm were recovered. The prosecution alleges the firearm was used by one of the defendants in Lukes’ homicide.

According to the detective’s testimony, Jackon was present at the residence, along with eight other individuals. At the time, Jackson and another individual had pending arrest warrants and were taken into custody.

Another officer testified he ran background checks on each of the defendants, along with Steele and Brown. The results confirmed none of them were cleared to carry firearms, despite multiple weapons recovered in their homes.

In addition, the firearm that was recovered during Jackson’s search warrant was not registered in DC.

Parties are set to return April 23.

Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

A non-fatal shooting defendant in a domestic quarrel pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on April 23.

Antonio Harrison, 48, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on July 17, 2023 at the 900 block of 21st Street, NE. No one was injured during the incident.

According to court documents, Harrison fired several rounds into the air after confronting the victim for having a romantic relationship with someone else. Harrison and the victim were separated, but they had known each other for more than 20 years and shared two children.

During the hearing, Harrison’s defense attorney, Kavya Naini, told the court that Harrison pleaded not guilty to every charge and asserted his right to a speedy trial.

Parties are expected to return to court on May 22.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of an individual for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on April 22 on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sounds of gunshots. They discovered evidence of gunfire, but no victims or damage to property.

MPD’s Real Time Crime Center examined camera footage that helped advance the investigation, and they identified 18-year-old Amontae Moody as the suspect. Moody was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Document: Arrest Made in Assault of Two Women During Argument

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a shooting that occurred on April 20 on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of sounds of gunshots. They located evidence of gunfire, and two women who were not shot but reported being struck by an object consistent with a firearm.

Officers located the suspect, 21-year-old Alonte Miller, and arrested him. He’s charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to the investigation, the suspect and victims were acquaintances.

Parties Spar Over ‘Reasonable Doubt’ In Homicide Trial Closing

“Reasonable doubt is a doubt based on reason,”said prosecutors during closing statements of a homicide trial, adding “what reason tells us is that Eric Davis is guilty.”

Davis, 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the murder of 41-year-old Theodore Riley on the 1600 block of Gales Street, SE on July 19, 2021.

“The defendant is guilty of the murder of Theodore Riley,” insisted the prosecution on April 22.

They presented the jury with a compilation of video surveillance clips of an individual, identified as Davis, and Riley walking together outside of a Chick-fil-A restaurant, near the crime scene, and ended with Davis allegedly running away towards F Street, NE.

The prosecution claimed Davis raised his gaiter, or mask, to cover his face before entering an alleyway.

“[Davis] puts his mask over his nose knowing full well what’s about to happen,” the prosecution stated.

According to the prosecution, after leaving the alleyway, Davis attempted to change his appearance by putting on a gray long-sleeve shirt to cover his black t-shirt.

“[Davis] was endeavoring to prevent anybody from seeing what he was about to do,” the prosecution argued.

Moreover, they claimed there was no one else in the alley at the time of the shooting and if there were, the only way to access the alley is through the north and south entrances.

The prosecution stated, “the evidence is clear that there is one person who endeavored to cover his tracks… one person who is seen exiting the alleyway… one person who is guilty for killing Riley and that is the defendant.”

In their closing statement, Davis’ defense attorney, Howard McEachern, argued the prosecution is “creative storytelling” about what happened.

McEachern claimed there is no video evidence showing Davis shooting Riley and no witnesses who can testify they saw him do it.

“Let’s be clear about what the videos depict,” McEachern stated, claiming the body language between Davis and Riley was “not argumentative” or “contentious.”

“Reasonable doubt is ringing all over the place,” McEachern expressed to the jury.

McEachern argued Riley could’ve been shot in the alleyway by another individual who entered and exited it by hopping over a fence that faced backyards on the other side of the alley. “Although it’s not encouraged for someone to go over the fence, it’s possible,” McEachern stated.

According to McEachern, the prosecution is offered “wild and crazy speculation” about assumptions they cannot prove.

McEachern concluded by asking the jury to “reflect upon” his arguments about the alleyway.

“Davis is not guilty,” McEachern insisted.

In their rebuttal, the prosecution argued McEachern’s claims were “speculation and guesswork.”

“Reasonable doubt is a doubt based on reason,” the prosecution continued, “what reason tells us is that Davis is guilty.”

DC Superior Court Judge Micheal O’Keefe excused the jury to begin their deliberations.

Witnesses Present Conflicting Testimony in Father-Son Homicide Case

Before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein, witnesses gave conflicting testimonies regarding the character of 49-year-old Stephen Magruder, who was alleged to have been shot and killed by his son Stephon Williams, 32.

Williams is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in the shooting of Magruder on Sept. 11, 2020, on the 700 block of 51st Street, NE.

According to previous testimony by Magruder’s widow, the shooting was the result of a disputed five dollar marijuana transaction.

On April 19, the defense called Williams’ brother, who is incarcerated, to testify regarding Magruder’s behavior as a father.

Defense attorney Jason Tulley raised objections over the witness being placed in shackles during his testimony. In an exchange, Judge Epstein told Tulley not to “roll his eyes at [him]”, and Tulley said that he was “kind of frustrated,” following the court’s refusal to unshackle the witness.

The witness testified that he had a close relationship with Williams. He stated that Magruder “hit [Williams] in the face”, and that he repeatedly hit him as a child.

“Nine times out of ten, he would basically put his hands on him,” said the witness, emphasizing that Magruder used a “closed fist.”

The witness explained that Williams often had injuries, and that his mother was “pissed” when she found out. According to the witness, he had an argument with Magruder over hitting Williams. He added that Williams was silent about the violence, reasoning that ”you got to display toughness.”

According to the Witness, the relationship between Williams’ parents “wasn’t nice,” adding that Magruder “visibly hurt her a couple times.” He recounted an instance where Magruder hurt her whilst she was pregnant, stating that he “blew” her out of the car and “left her outside.”

Williams was often comforted by Tulley during the course of the testimony.

Later, the defense read out an affidavit from a criminal case involving Magruder, where he was stated to have “held and pointed a black handgun” towards a close family friend. The affidavit stated that the handgun was recovered at his house and he was arrested.

The defense rested its case, and the prosecution called two people related to Williams and Magruder as part of their rebuttal.

The prosecution called Magruder’s mother who testified that she had seen Williams and Magruder together regularly during Williams’ adulthood.

However, she denied having ever seen Magruder be violent towards Williams, and couldn’t recall if she had ever heard about the abuse.

According to the witness, she had “never” seen physical evidence of abuse on Williams, including bruises or abrasions.

Following her testimony, prosecutors called on Magruder’s younger brother, who testified the relationship he witnessed between Magruder and Williams during adulthood was “father and son.” He denied ever seeing violence between the two.

During cross-examination, Tulley questioned the witness about Magruder’s beliefs regarding discipline. The witness established that physical discipline towards children in the family was never severe or violent.

However, he testified he had not seen every interaction between Magruder and Williams.

The prosecution rested its case, concluding the presentation of evidence.

Closing statements are set for April 22.

Judge Places Hold On Two Non-Fatal Shooting Defendants

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover detained two non-fatal shooting defendants, one of which allegedly told his victim “I’ll shoot you.”

Theodore Williams, 52, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on April 18 at the 4000 block of Whaler Court, SE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, Williams allegedly got into a verbal altercation with his neighbor and fired his gun, which damaged the neighbor’s car.

During the hearing on April 19, the prosecution told Judge Glover that the victim’s vehicle had sustained gunshot damage due to the shooting. They added that the fragments located near the victim’s car matched ammunition found in the gun that was allegedly used by Williams.

According to the prosecution, the gun was one of multiple weapons allegedly recovered during a search of Williams’ home.

The prosecution requested Judge Glover find probable cause and detain Williams as he awaits further proceedings, stating he remains a danger to the community.

However, Megan Allburn, Williams’ defense attorney argued that the victim was biased and used behavior, such as the usage of foul language, that exacerbated the situation.

Allburn requested for Williams’ immediate release.

Judge Glover ruled that the prosecution met the burden of proof for probable cause, citing the ammunition in Williams’ weapon and fragment located at the scene a likely match. He ordered Williams remain detained.

Parties are slated to return on April 22, before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian.

Kevin Seabron, 38, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on April 18 on the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE.

According to court documents, Seabron allegedly produced and discharged a firearm after engaging in a verbal altercation with his cousin in an apartment. No injuries were reported.

During the hearing, the prosecution claimed that the individual who was in the verbal altercation with the defendant saw him hold a gun to them, and state the words “I’ll shoot you,” before firing at them.

According to the prosecution, evidence recovered at the scene included a bullet hole in the neighbor’s apartment and a gun holster believed to be in the area where Seabron slept. They added that, in the time it took the police to respond, Seabron could have attempted to get rid of other evidence.

However, Adam Harris, Seabron’s defense attorney, argued that there was no gunshot residue that proved Seabron to be the offender.

Harris requested Seabron be released, citing that Seabron did not have a firearm on him when police arrived.

Judge Glover ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to prove probable cause and ordered Seabron be detained.

Parties are slated to return on April 22 before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro.

Special Police Officer Sentenced for 7-Eleven Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced Chanel Clinton to three years in prison for shooting a chat-group acquaintance in the shoulder while working as a Special Police Officer (SPO) at a 7-Eleven.

Clinton, 27, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her involvement in a non-fatal shooting on January 18, outside of a 7-Eleven on the 4800 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. One person was injured in the incident.

As part of a plea deal, Clinton pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, in exchange for the prosecution not indicting her on other charges.

At the sentencing hearing on April 22, Clinton’s attorney, John J. Sample, argued the incident occurred because the victim was filming Clinton in the 7-Eleven as part of a harassment campaign by a chat group that Clinton formerly belonged to.

When Clinton confronted the victim about the filming, the victim spat at her.

“She was as much a source of the conflict as my client, but she [Clinton] was the one who got arrested,” Sample said.

Sample attributed Clinton’s actions, in part, to failures by her employer. He argued that Clinton accidentally shot the victim while trying to fire a warning shot, which was not safe in such a crowded space.

“I think this was a lack of training on her management’s part,” Sample opined.

Sample argued that Clinton was assigned to the 7-Eleven too soon after the robbery of a Walmart that was her previous posting as an SPO.

“My client was held at gunpoint at the Walmart while the perpetrators went in the back room and stole money,” Sample recounted. “Because this robbery was less than a week before this event, that was why my client was hypervigilant.”

Sample hypothesized that the Walmart robbery might have given Clinton post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and she might have responded better at the 7-Eleven if she had gotten mental health treatment. He testified that the treatment she has received since the shooting has helped her.

“She has been seeing a therapist who has prescribed the anti-depressant Lexapro,” Sample reported. “I believe she is learning to cope with these stressful effects from the past.”

Sample asked Judge Christian to sentence Clinton to time served, with probation and therapy.

Clinton personally apologized to the court, her own family, the victim, and the victim’s family.

“I would like to say I am very remorseful for the actions that have led me here,” Clinton said, adding that she could have handled the situation “a little bit better.”

The prosecutor requested a sentence at the upper limit of what the voluntary sentencing guidelines indicate.

Even though Clinton has no criminal record, the prosecutor urged that discharging her firearm at the victim justified a sentence of 60 months incarceration and 3 years supervised release.

“She was put in a position of trust, she was licensed to be in that position of trust, and she abused it,” the prosecutor stated.

The prosecutor displayed footage from the body-worn camera of an off-duty Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sergeant who intervened in the conflict. The video shows the officer attempting to restrain Clinton.

“Stop. Stop. Stop,” the sergeant is heard to say. “Quit fighting. Quit fighting.” When he attempts to call for backup, Clinton shoots the victim.

Pointing his service weapon at Clinton, the sergeant commands, “Get on the ground.”

“Look what that b**** just did. She hit me,” Clinton responds, still standing.

“Shots fired,” the sergeant says into his radio.

“She hit me first,” Clinton complains as she kneels on the pavement.

Judge Christian questioned Clinton about statements she made in the pre-sentence report.

“I felt my life was at risk. The police officer held me back and let her strike me,” Judge Christian read from the report, quoting Clinton.

“Is she asserting self-defense?” Judge Christian asked Clinton’s attorney. Addressing Clinton herself, he told her she could claim that defense if the case went to trial.

Clinton explained that she didn’t intend to withdraw her guilty plea but wanted to identify the pressures on her that contributed to the shooting.

“I just want to point out that the harassment went on for more than a year,” Clinton stated. “I removed myself from this group of females, and the harassment happened on multiple job sites. I was removed from multiple job sites because of this group of females.”

Judge Christian asked Clinton what she thought motivated the harassment.

“I just stopped being friends with them,” Clinton said.

“How was that an appropriate response, that you used your firearm?” Judge Christian asked.

“It was not an appropriate response, but…” Clinton began, when her attorney stopped her.

“You are placed in a higher position because of your position as a Special Police Officer,” Judge Christian declared. He suggested that her lack of self-control could have led her to shoot and kill a kid stealing a Slurpee.

Judge Christian ruled that Clinton receive five years incarceration, with two years of the sentence suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation. He also gave a suspended sentence of three years supervised release, ordered mental health evaluation and treatment, and issued a stay-away order from the victim.

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