Deadly Stabbing Case Handed to Jury After Closing Arguments

The trial for the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Ivan Lynch wrapped up with attorneys delivering closing arguments before the nearly four-year-old case was handed to the jury.

Marquette Jordan is accused of stabbing Lynch to death during the early hours of April 30, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. The 30-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

The DC code describes first-degree murder as a purposeful killing or a killing while committing certain crimes. During closing arguments on April 7, a prosecutor told jurors that premeditation could be instantaneous and without a second thought. They alleged that Jordan grabbed a butcher knife, started swinging it at Lynch while he was on the ground and stabbed him six times, demonstrating an intent to kill.

The prosecution said Jordan and his girlfriend were engaged in an argument that turned physical. Lynch allegedly angered Jordan when he tried to intervene. Earlier in the trial, multiple witnesses testified that Lynch was not yelling at Jordan, with one of them describing the conversation as an “old man talk” from Lynch.

The armed robbery charge is based on the allegation that Jordan took keys from Lynch’s pocket while he layed on the ground. Prosecutors have also accused the defendant of assaulting his girlfriend that night during their argument.

Defense attorney Elliot Queen said Jordan and his girlfriend did argue, but it never got physical. He said his client did not swing at her or slap her, as still pictures of her from that night only show her with blood on her nose and a scratch on her arm. Queen argued this is not consistent with somebody who had been in a physical altercation hours prior.

Jordan testified in his own defense towards the end of the trial. He said he pushed Ivan, prompting Ivan to pick him up, slam him on his neck and choke him until he was unconscious, D.C. Witness previously reported. After gaining consciousness, Jordan said he saw Ivan on the floor, grabbed the kids and left the apartment.

“What makes the most sense is what Mr. Jordan said happened,” Queen said.

The prosecution argued that the defendant’s testimony contradicted that of other witnesses. Queen challenged the credibility of those witnesses, noting how some of them offered differing explanations as to why they waited to call 911. One said he was afraid of what Jordan may do, while another said they did not realize Lynch had been stabbed.

“Ten minutes is a lifetime. No reasonable person would wait 10 minutes to call 911,” Queen told jurors.

After the parties completed their closing arguments, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt gave the jury their instructions before sending them to begin deliberating. The deliberations were scheduled to resume on April 11.

Defendant Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Woman in Her Apartment

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant on felony sex abuse charges for forcing himself on a woman in her Kingman Park neighborhood apartment.

Richard Goodwin came to the apartment at the victim’s invitation in February 2021 and attempted to initiate non-consensual sexual contact, according to the prosecution. Despite her resistance, the defendant forced himself on her twice before leaving the scene.

“The crimes to which Mr. Goodwin pled guilty are horrendous and outside any range of what we should be able to expect from anyone in this community,” Judge Neal Kravitz said.

Goodwin, 29, was arrested within hours of the assault. He was initially charged with first-degree sexual abuse but pleaded out on two counts of third-degree sexual abuse as part of an agreement with prosecutors. As part of the agreement, both parties recommended concurrent prison sentences in the two to four-year range.

Judge Kravitz acknowledged defense attorney Jason Tulley’s description of the offense as out of character for his client as well as Goodwin’s difficult upbringing and current family situation. Still, he said the crimes “warrant a significant period of incarceration.”

“To the extent there’s mitigation here, it has already been accounted for in the plea agreement,” Judge Kravitz said.

After hearing from attorneys and considering their arguments, Judge Kravitz sentenced Goodwin to two years for each charge. The sentences will run concurrent. The defendant, who has been held at DC Jail since his arrest, will receive credit for time served.

As a result of his convictions, Goodwin will be required to register as a sex offender for ten years. He will spend five years on supervised release once he finishes serving his time.

Document: 10-Year-Old Succumbs to Injuries After Motor Vehicle Collision

Four days after a van collided head-on with a Metrobus on the 3300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, the van’s 10-year-old passenger succumbed to his injuries.

During the early hours of April 3, the van was traveling northbound when it crossed a yellow line and crashed into the southbound-traveling Metrobus, according to a press release. The driver of the van, 47-year-old Demetrius Fultz, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The young passenger, Amir Fultz, was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries. He died on April 7.

Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced on Misdemeanor Charges for Starting Fire in Apartment

Exactly two years after he was initially charged with arson, a domestic violence defendant was sentenced for three misdemeanor charges.

“I first want to start off by apologizing,” Clarence Bowler said when given the opportunity to address the court. “I put a lot of people at harm because I reacted.”

Bowler punched the victim, a romantic partner, in the face before starting the fire, according to DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

“You probably have experienced or seen or witnessed domestic violence in your own life,” Judge Leibovitz told the defendant, urging him not to let the cyclical effects of such violence continue.

On April 7, Bowler pleaded down from the felony arson charge to simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property less than $1,000. He was sentenced the next day.

Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough noted that his client has no prior convictions, was compliant with his pretrial release conditions and expressed sincere remorse for his actions.

“I appreciate Mr. Bowler has accepted responsibility,” Judge Leibovitz said. She sentenced the defendant to 90 days for the simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm charges and 180 days for the destruction of property charge. All three sentences were suspended.

The prosecutor wanted Bowler to spend time on probation so he can demonstrate that his compliance with court orders was not just for the sake of putting his case behind him. Bowler will spend one year on supervised probation on the conditions that he participates in a domestic violence intervention program and refrains from harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking the victim.

Document: Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting

A suspect was arrested in the aftermath of a shooting that left one man dead.

At approximately 10:23 a.m. on April 6, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 4800 block of North Capitol Street, NE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. There, they found 41-year-old Douglas Jerome Johnson suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The suspect, 25-year-old D’Andre Brewer, was apprehended by responding officers.

Johnson was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Brewer was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Man Sentenced for Series of Sexual Assaults in Capitol Hill Neighborhood Homes

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a Maryland man to 39 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults committed in 2016 against three men in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Bryant Webster broke into three homes and sexually assaulted the occupants over a 50-day period from mid-August to September 2016, according to the prosecution. The 38-year-old defendant was apprehended at the scene of the third attack. In July 2019, he pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse while armed and one count of second-degree sexual abuse.

One of the victims said he fell into “the darkest despair of my life” after the assault when given the opportunity to speak during the April 6 sentencing.

“It’s terrifying to think that there are people, like the defendant, who are hunting human beings,” he said.

A prosecutor said Webser’s actions took an “incredible amount of premeditation.” The second two victims were bound with duct tape and gagged with a t-shirt as they were assaulted at gunpoint, according to the prosecution.

The defendant previously tried to withdraw his guilty plea. According to court documents, Webster felt pressured to plead guilty after being shown photographic evidence the prosecution had against him one day before opening arguments were set to take place. The prosecution maintained they shared the photo with defense counsel more than a year before the guilty plea.

The requests to withdraw the plea were denied.

“He cannot be rehabilitated if he cannot take responsibility for his actions,” said Judge Marisa Demeo.

Webster was sentenced to 39 years in prison. After completing his sentence, he will remain on supervised release for the remainder of his lifetime. He must also register as a sex offender for life.

Murder Defendant Removed From Courtroom for Disrupting His Trial

The defendant accused of murdering 48-year-old Ivan Lynch was removed from the courtroom during the eighth day of his trial.

Prosecutors allege that Marquette Jordan stabbed Lynch to death during the early hours of April 28, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. On April 6, the 30-year-old defendant took the stand to testify in his own defense.

When Jordan began his testimony on April 5, he said he got into an argument with Lynch and pushed him, D.C. Witness previously reported. He testified that Lynch choked him until he went unconscious and woke up to find Lynch on the floor. Despite this, a Metropolitan Police Department officer later called by prosecutors said Jordan never told her he needed medical attention.

When prosecutors cross-examined Jordan, he would often go off on a tangent and avoid answering their “yes” or “no” questions. After stepping down from the witness stand and sitting next to his lawyer, Elliot Queen, he began to raise his voice and make hand gestures that caught the attention of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. He was removed from the courtroom for his behavior. Upon being brought back, Judge Brandt warned the defendant that he could only stay in the courtroom if he controls himself.

Seemingly agitated from the robust cross-examination, Jordan continued to raise his voice and make hand gestures, prompting marshals to escort him out of the courtroom once again. Judge Brandt asked him if he would like to be present when prosecutors present their rebuttal case.

Jordan has said he left the apartment on the night of the homicide to call 911, bringing his girlfriend’s children with him. He was with the children when he was apprehended by police later that day.

Jurors saw images of the children from a police officer’s body-worn camera during the trial proceedings. Jordan misrepresented his name and date of birth during the police stop. Prosecutors called an MPD officer who testified that Jordan said he was in his uncle’s apartment.

Jordan said he lied to the police because he did not know what happened and did not want to be stereotyped because of his criminal background.

A witness from the Office of Unified Communications said there was no evidence the defendant called 911 as he said he did.

Following Queen’s cross-examination of one of the police witnesses, Jordan once again frustrated Judge Brandt and prosecutors with his conduct. Judge Brandt eventually decided he was done for the day.

The trial was scheduled to resume the next day.

Jordan faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault.

Murder Defendant Testifies During His Trial

The man accused of murdering 40-year-old Ivan Lynch in 2018 took to the witness stand to testify in his own defense.

Marquette Jordan is on trial for allegedly stabbing Lynch to death during the early hours of April 30, 2018, in an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. The 30-year-old defendant faces charges of first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery, carrying a dangerous weapon and simple assault. He was charged with threat to kidnap or injure a person and assault with a dangerous weapon, but prosecutors decided to drop those charges.

On April 5, defense attorney Elliot Queen began his direct examination of his client by asking about his relationship with the witnesses he knows personally.

“Other than the witness that was my girlfriend, we were all good friends and I have love for them,” Jordan said.

Jordan testified that he and his girlfriend were together all day on April 29, 2018, watching their kids play at a local playground. With nothing else to do, the two decided to hang out with Lynch and celebrate his birthday. Lynch, Jordan, Jordan’s girlfriend and a mutual female friend headed over to the apartment together.

“There was a lot of joking between Ivan and I during the car ride,” Jordan recalled. “The vibe was great until we got to the apartment. Ivan did not want me there, he wanted to be left alone with the girls.”

Things had died down between Jordan and Lynch until Jordan got into an argument with his girlfriend. Lynch confronted Jordan, telling him that if he has a problem with her, he should handle it with him.

Jordan testified that he pushed Lynch, prompting Lynch to pick him up, slam him on his neck and choke him until he was unconscious. After gaining consciousness, Jordan said he saw Lynch on the floor, grabbed the kids and left the apartment.

Many of the answers Jordan gave to his lawyer’s questions had to be stricken from the record because he went beyond the parameters of what he was allowed to talk about. DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt eventually asked Queen to stick to yes or no questions. Queen decided to conclude his direct examination instead.

Before the jury entered the courtroom, Queen argued a motion for judgment of acquittal on the murder and robbery charges.

“There was no premeditation or deliberation on Jordan’s part. The prosecution has not proven that this is premeditated,” he said. “There have been 28 witnesses and there is no evidence of premeditation and these eyewitness testimonies have not been credible.”

Queen went on to argue that his client did not use a knife to stab Lynch. “Nor can we say a knife was on his person or if a robbery even occurred,” he said.

The prosecutor shot back, arguing that premeditation as it was explained to the jury can happen in a matter of seconds.

“For the robbery, after the stabbing, the defendant went through the decedent’s pockets taking his phone and wallet,” she said. “When he was later arrested the decedent’s keys were found on Jordan’s person. A witness also gave testimony that he could not find the knife after the stabbing.”

Judge Brandt denied the defense’s motion. Johnson is expected to be cross-examined on April 6.

Defendant Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Victim at Gunpoint in 2006

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to serve more than a decade in prison for an armed sexual assault that took place 16 years ago.

During the early hours of March 25, 2006, the victim was babysitting her friend’s child when she encountered Christopher Grooms, who she recognized as someone she had seen with her friend in the past. According to the prosecution, Grooms entered the home and forced the victim into the child’s bedroom, where he raped her at gunpoint.

“To you she’s a stranger, but to her you’re a life-changing force,” Judge Marisa Demeo told Grooms during the April 5 sentencing hearing.

The victim was pregnant at the time of the assault. In a victim impact statement, she described the trauma and anxiety she endured and its strain on her pregnancy. She lost a close friend because they did not believe Grooms could do something like this.

In 2020, advances in DNA technology led to investigators finding a match between the male DNA profile from the victim’s rape kit and Grooms’ DNA profile, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

The 36-year-old defendant was arrested in April 2021. The following December, he took a plea deal for attempted first-degree sexual abuse while armed with aggravating circumstances.

Grooms has previously been convicted of attempted first-degree sexual abuse for a 2008 offense involving a different victim. The prosecution argued that, as a repeat offender, Grooms poses a serious threat to the community. They asked Judge Demeo to impose a 12-year prison sentence.

Defense attorney Jason Clark requested an eight-year prison sentence. He noted a major car accident his client was in, which caused him to lose one of his legs and motor functions in his hands. Clark argued that this will preclude Grooms from being able to commit more crimes.

“You’ve been on a path of destruction your whole life, whether on other people or yourself,” Judge Demeo told the defendant after hearing from both parties. She pointed out that both of Grooms’ parents had stable jobs while he grew up, and he looked up to many uncles.

“You had a lot more direction than other people have,” she said

Judge Demeo sided with the prosecution’s recommendation and sentenced Grooms to 12 years in prison, which will be followed by ten years of supervised release. He will remain a registered sex offender for life. Judge Demeo recommended that Grooms participate in sex offender, drug and mental health treatment. She will also order him to stay away from the victim.

Woman Arraigned on Murder, Firearm Charges

A woman was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged role in a 2020 shooting at an apartment in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood.

On the evening of Nov. 14, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 44-year-old Terry Hickman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the apartment, which is located on the 1000 Block of 4th Street, SW. Nijinsky Dix was apprehended at the crime scene, allegedly holding a gun, according to court documents. Police believe the homicide was domestic in nature.

The 38-year-old defendant was indicted on March 16 and arraigned during an April 6 hearing. Defense attorney Brandi Harden entered a plea of not guilty on her client’s behalf.

Harden told DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo that the prosecution is looking over a potential plea deal from the defense.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 22.

Case Acquitted: Release Conditions Lowered for Woman Charged with Murder

Tierra Posey was acquitted of all charges on March 20, 2024.

A DC Superior Court judge agreed to lessen the pretrial release conditions of a woman charged with second-degree murder while armed during the most recent hearing for the 2020 case.

On the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2020, Metropolitan Police Department officers found 21-year-old Tia Carey suffering from a gunshot wound on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. She was later pronounced dead and Tierra Posey was arrested that same day.

In September 2020, a judge agreed to release the 24-year-old defendant to a halfway house. Given Posey’s history of following court orders when her supervision is reduced, Judge Marisa Demeo agreed to take her off the High Intensity Supervision Program during an April 4 hearing.

Posey will be required to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency by phone and stay away from the victim’s family.

Judge Demeo also questioned why the defendant has yet to be indicted. Parties will have the opportunity to check on the status of the indictment when they are scheduled to reconvene on July 11 for a felony status conference.

Murder Trial Continues With Prosecutors Calling 7 Witnesses to Testify

A murder trial continued with prosecutors calling seven witnesses, including forensic and medical experts, a police officer and the defendant’s close friend.

Marquette Jordan, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 40-year-old Ivan Lynch to death during the early hours of April 30, 2018. Lynch was found lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor of an apartment on the 900 block of 5th Street, SE. He was eventually pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to court documents.

The first witness called to testify during the April 4 proceedings was the chief doctor in charge of the trauma center at that hospital. One of the prosecutors on the case asked her about the day Lynch entered the emergency room. She recounted how hospital staff began performing mechanical CPR on him. This occurred at 4:13 a.m., but Lynch was pronounced dead at 4:14 a.m.

“We pronounce folks dead if they are, in fact, dead,” the doctor said. Defense attorney Elliot Queen did not cross-examine her.

A member of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner then took the stand and verified the photos she took as part of Lynch’s autopsy. Her testimony was followed by that of the deputy chief medical examiner, a certified expert in forensic pathology.

Prosecutors displayed pictures from the autopsy, including close-up images of each stab wound. The deputy chief medical examiner said one of the stab wounds to Lynch’s left chest area punctured his heart. She said Lynch would have had to be left laying down for a number of hours before being taken to the hospital.

The prosecutor asked her what she would conclude as the manner of death.

“Homicide,” she responded.

Defense attorney Elliot Queen asked the witness if she could tell how Lynch was stabbed. She said she could not.

In the aftermath of the deadly stabbing, a member of the Department of Forensic Sciences went to the crime scene and collected evidence. She told the prosecution about how she found a cellphone on the side of a road near the apartment where the stabbing occurred.

The apartment is located in the Navy Yard neighborhood, near the Southeast Freeway. A supervisor at the security company Brilliance Surveillance verified some of the surrounding areas where Jordan could be seen after the homicide from the school outside the apartments.

The jury saw 14 video clips from the playground at the school and off school grounds. In several of these videos, Jordan can be seen walking through the playground or passing the school with two children. He was with two children when he was apprehended on the same day as the homicide.

After Jordan was detained by police, a K9 unit was called in as Metropolitan Police Department officers searched the area for a possible murder weapon. No weapons were recovered. An officer who works with the K-9 unit took the witness stand, and jurors viewed body-worn camera footage of the search.

The day’s final witness was Jordan’s close friend, who gave a detailed account of the night of the homicide.

“He is a friend and like a brother,” she said when asked how she knew the defendant.

The witness said she had plans to “chill” with Jordan and some other people, and they all went to an apartment together to drink and socialize. This group included Jordan’s girlfriend, her two young children, Lynch and another friend of the defendant.

She said a verbal argument broke out between Jordan and his girlfriend. Lynch tried to intervene and give Jordan an “old man talk,” but a physical fight broke out between the two. She said she could not see anything after this fight started, as she grabbed the children and all faced the wall until it went quiet.

Once the “tussling,” was finished, she left the children with their mother and quickly left the apartment. She did see Lynch lying on the ground but said she did not see what had happened to him. After stepping down from the witness stand, she blew the defendant a kiss and left the courtroom.

At this point, the prosecution told DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt they would call several more witnesses during the next day of the trial.

After dismissing the jury, Judge Brandt thanked Jordan for his good behavior. In previous days, Jordan had built up a reputation for being noisy and interrupting testimony.

The trial was scheduled to resume on April 5.

Homicide Victim’s Family Speaks During Sentencing

Rufus Davis‘ relatives implored a DC Superior Court judge to impose the maximum sentence for the man convicted of killing their family member.

On Oct. 6, 2021, Davis was found on the Unit Block of O Street, NW, suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and back. The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Marcha Johnson was arrested a week later and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

The 44-year-old defendant pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter while armed, which has a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, as part of an agreement with prosecutors. The plea deal includes an agreement between parties not to request an upward or downward departure from the DC Sentencing Commission’s voluntary sentencing guidelines as they apply to the defendant.

Multiple members of the victim’s family spoke during the April 5 sentencing. A letter from the victim’s grandmother was read aloud in court. She was unable to attend her grandson’s funeral due to mobility issues.

“He didn’t deserve to die the way he did,” she stated in the letter, which concluded with her “begging for justice.”

Davis’ cousins spoke in court about the kind of person he was and how his death has affected them. One of them spoke about how he always wanted to travel. “He was always a good spirit,” she said.

The victim’s father told the court his son was just about to turn 21 years old.

“I did everything I could to protect him from that day,” he said.

One of Davis’ cousins said “nothing could suffice,” in reference to Johnson’s sentence. Davis’ father echoed that sentiment, saying “No amount of time is going to bring my son back.”

“I just want justice for my son,” he continued. “I feel like I let my son down, let my family down.”

The prosecutor asked Judge Robert Okun to pass an 18-year sentence, citing the defendant’s criminal history and video footage from the homicide that shows the defendant shooting Davis point-blank.

When given the opportunity to address the court, Johnson said, “I want to apologize to the family.”

Defense attorney Wole Falodun said her client is remorseful and hopes that the family can forgive him one day. He told the court that the victim and the defendant had a contentious relationship, as Davis had allegedly threatened to take Johnson’s life in the past. Falodun said Johnson is in a tough spot mentally and asked for the court’s mercy.

Judge Okun sentenced Johnson to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Having seen the video footage, he said the crime was brutal and heinous. In deciding on a sentence, Judge Okun said he considered both the nature of the offense and Johnson’s criminal history.

Johnson has had 10 prior convictions, most of which were for felonies, Judge Okun said. He mentioned that Davis was unarmed and the video footage did not show him instigating anything.

Judge Okun told the defendant to think about his life once he gets out and to make the best of it.

“For your sake and the community’s sake I hope you are successful,” he said.

Plea Deal Under Consideration for Man Charged in Deadly Stabbing

A plea offer is on the table for a defendant charged with second-degree murder while armed for a deadly stabbing in a commercial area of the Carver-Langston neighborhood.

Byron Brooks is accused of stabbing 43-year-old Kareem Watkins to death during the early hours of May 11, 2021. Watkins was found on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, with a puncture wound to the left side of his chest. Brooks, 36, was apprehended in Georgia less than a month later.

During the defendant’s most recent hearing on April 4, a plea offer involving the same charge of second-degree murder while armed was brought up again.

Brooks’s defense attorney, Roderick Thompson, said there was very little discovery evidence shared since the preliminary hearing. Both parties asked for a status hearing in six weeks to gather the information and for the defense to make a final decision on the offer.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 19.

Defendant Sentenced for Killing Woman in 2017 Traffic Accident

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a woman for killing 43-year-old Talata Wiliams in a 2017 car accident.

Terica Younger was scheduled to be sentenced in February, but attorneys were made aware of uncertainty within the parameters of the plea agreement and had to postpone. On March 25, parties met in court again, prepared to proceed with the sentencing.

The 41-year-old defendant was initially charged with second-degree murder for the fatal car accident, which took place on Good Hope Road, SE, on Sept. 17, 2017. When she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two assault charges in February 2019, Younger said she remembered drinking at a bar but not getting behind the wheel or using fentanyl, D.C. Witness previously reported. Still, she did not dispute that she was responsible for Williams’ death.

During the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor said four members of Williams’ family were in the courtroom and two of them wanted to speak.

“My family wants closure,” William’s brother said, asking Judge Milton Lee to impose the maximum sentence.

William’s younger sister spoke next.

“She was my best friend. She was so loving and kind,” she said of her older sister, describing the toll the sudden death had on herself and her family. “This lady, Ms. Younger, you have left a big hole in people’s hearts. She was in the prime of her life. She shouldn’t get no slap on the wrist.”

Judge Lee thanked both siblings before asking Younger if she would like to say anything.

Younger initially declined to speak, but her attorney, Madalyn Harvey, addressed the court. Harvey said it was very heartbreaking listening to the family, but what happened was also an accident.

”Younger’s life has been very traumatic,” Harvey said. “She’s overcome demons. Ms. Younger is terrified of serving time.”

Younger was released during her initial hearing in 2018 and was allowed to remain released awaiting sentencing after she pleaded guilty. When she failed to appear in court for a show cause hearing in June 2019, Judge Lee issued a bench warrant for her arrest. She was apprehended in August 2021 and has remained in detention ever since.

After some time silently crying, Younger spoke. “I wasn’t coming for nobody that night,” she said. “I was trying to get home to a sick dog.”

Judge Lee addressed Younger. “There is a lot of work to do in your life. There’s no reasoning whatsoever to be speeding while intoxicated,” he said. He proceeded to sentence her on one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with significant bodily injury.

The 10-month sentences for the assault charges were suspended, but she was sentenced to serve 60 months for the manslaughter charge.

Conditions of Younger’s probation include a mental health screening, an inpatient drug treatment program, vocational housing and transitional housing.

Search