DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan vacated a homicide trial after prosecutors expressed intention to resolve the case through a plea deal on March 20.
Robert Carpenter, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Tremaine Nicholson, 42, on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE, on May 7, 2024.
According to court documents, Carpenter allegedly shot Nicholson when he arrived at Carpenter’s partner’s house intoxicated, demanding to see his and the partner’s son.
At the hearing, prosecutors extended a plea offer that would require Carpenter to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. In exchange, prosecutors would dismiss the remaining charges and agree to a sentence of seven-to-12 years of imprisonment. They said Carpenter has until March 26 to make a decision.
Prosecutors requested to vacate the trial as both parties expressed their preference to resolve the case through a plea agreement.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 26.
