Retired Police Officer Considers Plea Deal in Training Exercise Killing

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 12, 2023
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Jesse Porter, 59,a retired officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is considering a plea deal in the shooting death of 25-year-old Maurica Manyan, a library security officer.  

On May 10, Porter was indicted by a District of Columbia Grand Jury on charges of second-degree murder while armed, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful discharge of a firearm.  The incident occurred on Aug. 4, 2022, on the 1800 block of Good Hope Road, SE. 

In a brief hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on May 12, Porter’s attorney Brian McDaniel asked Judge Epstein for additional time to consider the prosecution’s terms of three-to-seven years in jail in return for pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter while armed.  Otherwise, Porter will have to stand trial for murder. 

If Porter were convicted on all the charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 12-to-24 years in prison.

Judge Epstein gave Porter until a hearing on May 18 at 2:30 p,m. to make up his mind.

The widely publicized case stemmed from Manyon’s shooting while she was taking part in a training exercise.  According to court documents, when police arrived on the scene Porter kept repeating, “I thought I had a training gun.”

Members of Manyon’s family attended the court session and afterward listened to a prosecutor’s explanation of the proposal.  In an informal news conference outside the courthouse, family attorney Chelsea Lewis said their reaction was shock and disappointment that Porter might face less than the maximum penalty for his offenses while they’re still in mourning.

“We are still extremely concerned and troubled by the District of Columbia’s response and negligence in this case, “ said Lewis.  She said the family has heard virtually nothing from city officials and received no compensation for Manyan’s death 

Also, at issue is security footage of the shooting which has not been turned over to the family.  Lewis said the family wants to see it in an effort to determine if the shooting was completely accidental. 

Meanwhile, Lewis said the family was considering other legal options to get accountability for what happened.  

Brittany Backford, Manyan’s cousin, said whatever the outcome nothing can make up for the family’s loss. “We don’t even have words why something like this would happen,”  she told reporters.