Prosecutors Withdraw Plea Offer After Shooting Defendant Does Not Appear in Court

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Prosecutors in a murder case withdrew a plea offer, which was slated to expire on July 12, following the defendant’s third time refusing to appear in court before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Ethan Cunningham, 20, is charged with first-degree burglary while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of felony murder while armed, kidnapping while armed, attempted robbery while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for allegedly shooting 38-year-old James Curtis on March 10, 2022, on the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE.

Thomas Healy, Cunningham’s defense attorney, alerted told Judge Epstein that he met with Cunningham on July 11 and stated, “I fully expected to see him here today.”

Prosecutors argued that every time a plea deal is about to expire, Cunningham misses his appearance in court. They said this is the third time this has happened.

Due to this repeated delay, the prosecution withdrew their plea deal.

Judge Epstein alerted the parties that he wants to move forward with the trial, but Healy said his client isn’t prepared.

“He had eight months to get ready for this trial,” said Epstein, “it needs to get resolved.”

Parties are slated to meet on July 18.