Plea Offer Would Wipe Out Most of 57 Counts Against Shooting, Robbery Suspect

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Prosecutors offered to drop virtually every charge against 19-year-old Rodney Bennett in return for a plea deal that would virtually eliminate a 57-count indictment against the shooting and robbery suspect.

The agreement was presented in a May 7 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan. It would require Bennett to plead guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of armed robbery. If accepted, the remaining 55 counts would be dropped. However, if the case proceeds to trial, Bennett could face 50 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Bennett is currently charged with endangerment with a firearm, 21 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

In addition, he faces two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, four counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, eight counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, and robbery. All charges were committed during release.

There are also two counts of robbery while armed for his alleged involvement in an unlawful discharge of a firearm on a public space at the 600 block of Edgewood St, NE on Aug. 28, 2024, and two armed robberies at the 1300 block of Neal Place, NE on Aug. 28, 2024 and at the 1900 block of 8th Street, NW on Aug. 29, 2024.

Bennett’s attorney, Michael Madden, said he appreciates that prosecutors are leaving the plea open for consideration. The matter is complicated by the prosecution’s testing of DNA evidence which is anticipated by June. Prosecutors must decide which evidence to test and whether it’s worth the money, given the pending plea.

If testing proceeds, Bennett will have a hearing to decide whether he wants to do independent testing of the evidence the prosecution chooses to test.

Judge Ryan described what he called a “universe of seized evidence” in the case. Thus, testing is the “biggest hurdle to overcome before trial could go forward,” said the judge. He estimated it could last two months unless Bennett takes the deal.

Lamenting that the DC Court doesn’t have enough judges, Judge Ryan said he could put the trial on his calendar for the second half of 2026.

“I’m a pretty optimistic guy,” said the judge. As for the plea, he told Bennett, “The decision you make is up to you.”

In the omnibus indictment, Bennett is also charged with endangerment of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or place of business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unauthorized use of a vehicle for an incident that occurred on Aug. 26, 2024, but the incident location is unknown.

The next hearing in the case is set for June 12.