Shooting Defendant Balks at Plea Deal

By Jenna Gainsboro [former] - July 31, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On July 31, sentencing for Charles Monroe was delayed because he refused to take a plea deal. 

Monroe, 18, was charged with multiple counts of robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed carjacking, destruction of property $1000 or more, unauthorized use of a vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon, second degree cruelty to children while armed, and assault with intent to commit robbery while armed in connection with a non-fatal shooting that took place on July 10, 2021 at the 700 block of 7th Street SE.

Both parties had agreed to a plea deal of 60-months in jail with credit for  time served and 18-months of supervised probation.

Despite the agreement, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe refused to accept this offer. The judge stated that due to Monroe’s criminal history it would be in the defendant’s and community’s best interest to keep him incarcerated.

Defense attorney, Terrence Austin, stated that Monroe has made  great progress, including graduating high school, Considering the circumstances surrounding his life. “…He has made as much progress as one can make..” stated the defense.

Austin referred to  the poverty and violence that Monroe and his family endured during his early development and the deaths of family members. Austin also noted the defendant’s struggles with PTSD, ADHD and learning disabilities. 

In hopes of changing the judge’s mind, defense attorneys even presented some of the defendant’s poetry articulating the struggles that impoverished young black men face growing up in an urban environment. 

Even so, Judge O’Keefe  refused to accept the plea. Monroe could either take his chances with his ruling on the sentence or go to trial.

Sentencing was continued until August 21.