DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson sentenced a confessed murder defendant to 180 months, amounting to 15 years in prison, during a hearing on Aug. 15.
Bobby Gupton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed. He and co-defendant James Outland, both 27, had originally committed to a wired plea, meaning both would have to agree to the terms for the deal to be valid.
However, Outland has since asked to withdraw his plea, which the prosecution argued should logically have delayed Gupton’s sentencing. However, Gupton’s lawyers filed a counter-motion.
“The government’s request contradicts the plea agreement’s language. A plea agreement is a contract,” argued the motion.
Though Outland’s case is pending, Judge Dayson agreed and proceeded with Gupton’s sentencing.
Both defendants were charged with the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Tavonayna Glenn on June 28, 2023, on the 700 block of 19th Street, NE. However, the prosecutor painted a much darker picture of what could have happened.
She described the shooting in which some 30 rounds were fired indiscriminately as “horrific.”
“This transformed what should have been a pleasant summer night into a night of terror,” she said.
In reiterating what the prosecutor described as a very strong case, she presented footage of a street scene in which terrified pedestrians were seen fleeing for their lives as the shooters raced down the block with guns blazing.
“We could have been faced with 30 decedents that night,” said the prosecutor. Further, she noted that Gupton was arrested the following day with a different gun than the one used in the murder.
Given the severity of the crime, the prosecutor requested a sentence of 24 years at the top of the DC guidelines.
“The only person he has to blame for this is himself,” said the prosecutor of Gupton’s actions.
Gupton’s attorney, Gregory Lipper, said his client acknowledged the seriousness of his offense but made the right decision to plead guilty and has not wavered. Lipper told the court that despite the murder, Gupton is “more than that.”
He cited Gupton’s commitment to his children and diabetic mother, all the while taking on a demanding job at an Amazon warehouse. Meanwhile, Lipper pointed out that Gupton had a troubled family life with an absent father.
Growing up, Gupton struggled with a learning disability and a speech impediment that hindered his academic performance. Further, he has untreated mental disorders, including ADHD.
While incarcerated, Gupton has taken academic and practical courses at the DC Jail.
“I’d like to apologize for my actions. I’d like to apologize to the victim’s family as well,” Gupton told the court. No victim impact statements were presented during the proceeding.
In passing sentence, Judge Dayson credited Gupton for taking responsibility but said had the case gone to trial with a conviction the sentence could have been much stiffer.
“This type of offense is particularly concerning because it puts so many people at risk,” she said.
For the charge of second-degree murder while armed, she sentenced Gupton to 180 months jail time with five years supervised release. In addition, he must register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.
He will be credited for time already served.
Outland’s motion to withdraw will be heard on Oct. 10.
