Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Deal at Trial Start

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.

A shooting defendant accepted a plea deal Aug. 6 on what was supposed to be the day one of his trial before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow

James Guillory, 24, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and carrying a pistol without a license for allegedly shooting and injuring two individuals on June 15, 2023 on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE.

According to court documents, a male victim sustained a wound to the hip, and a female victim was hit with a ball bearing (BB) gunshot on the nose.

As the hearing started Guillory’s defense attorney, Varsha Govindaraju, alerted the court of his client’s intention to accept a plea deal extended by the prosecution.

According to Govindaraju, the deal required Guillory to plead guilty to two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. The jury, which was previously chosen Aug. 5, was released.

Parties are set to return for sentencing on Sept. 20.

No other organization can keep you informed about local crime cases that impact you. Help us add to our coverage and expand our help in your communities. Donate today.

Donate Now