Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

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On Feb. 13, a homicide defendant entered into plea agreement before DC Superior Court Marisa Demeo.

Latasha Gray, 36, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm during an intra-family offense, for her involvement in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Anthony Thomas. The incident occurred on March 17, 2023, on the 4200 block of 7th Street, SE. 

During the hearing, Gray’s defense attorney, Joseph Yarbough, alerted the court that Gray had come to an agreement with the prosecution.

The plea agreement requires that Gray plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges. This deal also limits the sentencing range to seven-and-a-half-to-ten- years of incarceration and five years of supervised release. 

Gray verified that she read and signed each of the documents in the plea agreement and was not coerced or threatened into doing so. 

The prosecution said that, had the case gone to trial, the evidence would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Gray was the perpetrator in the shooting of Thomas and was not acting in self defense.

Judge Demeo ensured that Gray still wished to proceed and then accepted the plea agreement. 

Parties will return to court on May 8 for sentencing.