One of three men charged with Matthew Shevlin’s murder sentenced

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 22, 2016
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

One of the three men charged with the murder of Matthew Shevlin in a botched drug robbery was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Joseph Jennings., Jr. killed Shevlin after he and two other men tried to break into Shevlin’s apartment to steal drugs. Jennings was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, but accepted a plea deal which reduced the charge to second-degree murder while armed.

Two other men have also been charged in the case and their cases are still ongoing. Eugene Sherman, charged with first-degree murder was also offered a plea deal but rejected the offer. David Harvey’s case is also pending.

Jennings entered the guilty plea in October in exchange for the lesser charge. According to prosecutors, Jennings and the two other men plotted to break into Shevlin’s apartment and steal marijuana. When Jennings and one of the men with him broke into the building, Shelvin fled from the building. Jennings chased Shevlin and fought with him, but Shevlin escaped. Shevlin threw a flower pot at the man accompanying Jennings when the man tried stealing marijuana out of Shevlin’s apartment. Jennings then shot Shevlin multiple times.