DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced a homicide defendant to 26 years in prison for what the prosecutor termed a particularly gruesome crime on Jan. 30.
On Sept. 5, 2025, Antoine Turner, 32, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Demetri Anderson, 23, on Nov. 29, 2020 on the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of 20-to-26 years. Turner was also accused of the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Demetrius Benson on Nov. 3, 2020 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. However, those charges were dropped from the indictment as part of the agreement.
Several members of Anderson’s family were present at the hearing, and delivered emotional victim impact statements.
Anderson’s aunt wore his clothing as she spoke. She was the funeral director that prepared his body for the burial. She said she initially did not recognize him due to the severe damage from multiple gunshot wounds.
“He will never get to walk his daughter down the aisle,” Anderson’s great-uncle read from a prepared statement on behalf of his sister, who could not be present at the sentencing. Her remarks mentioned that Anderson was killed on her birthday, and she will never be able to celebrate the day again.
In his statement, Anderson’s great-uncle argued that 26 years would still not be true justice for his great nephew’s murder, with no apparent motive, so he asked the judge not to reduce the sentence any further.
In her victim impact statement, Anderson’s cousin condemned the gun violence that plagues DC’s Wards 7 and 8. She said that many young Black men in the community are taught that their only options are “prison or the cemetery,” and both Anderson and Turner are products of that flawed system.
Anderson’s uncle emphasized that he continues to worry about how this shooting will impact not only the victim but the defendant’s young children. He said he forgives the defendant.
Anderson’s grandmother told the court how much she misses her only grandson. She said she has to forgive the defendant, but it will be incredibly difficult. She concluded by telling the defendant she loved him, because God says to love everyone.
In a statement to the court, Turner said that he is extremely remorseful and apologetic for what he did, and knows he has to change. He said he sees how his actions have negatively affected Anderson’s family and his own.
The prosecutor said this was the most gruesome crime scene she had ever seen. The victim suffered from 13 gunshot wounds, leading to a significant amount of biological evidence on the ground. The prosecution advocated for the maximum sentence due to the malicious intent of the crime, and the defendant’s past criminal history.
Defense attorney Madalyn Harvey said she was impressed by the victim impact statements and the forgiveness the family showed to Turner. She said that on the other hand, she was taken aback by the prosecution’s use of the words “satanic” and “irredeemable” to describe the defendant in previous documents.
She stated that he is not irredeemable, requesting mental health treatment in prison, though she said she has little faith in the Bureau of Prisons (BoP).
Harvey also disagreed with the prosecution’s argument for a maximum sentence, stating that the number of gunshot wounds should not be a factor in sentencing. She said that 20 years would be enough of a punishment.
“No mitigation, provocation, or explanation,” Judge Ryan concluded about the crime before sentencing Turner to the maximum sentence of 26 years.
He agreed with the prosecution that the number of gunshot wounds was significant to establish malice for Turner’s actions. He acknowledged that Turner experienced trauma in his childhood, which may explain his situation, but does not excuse it.
Turner was sentenced to 26 years, with a five year minimum and five year supervised release. He will receive credit for the time already served. Judge Ryan also ordered assessment and treatment of mental disorders for Turner while in prison, as well as job assistance. Turner must register as a gun offender upon his release.
“He was loved,” Anderson’s fyamily told D.C. Witness when asked how he should be remembered.
No further dates were set.
