Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer, Awaits Trial

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A shooting defendant rejected a plea offer extended by the prosecution in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 12. 

Amonte Moody, 18, is charged with endangerment with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on April 22 on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE. No injuries were reported. 

During the hearing, the prosecution extended an offer which required Moody plead guilty to four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in return for not seeking an indictment on greater charges.

Under sentencing guidelines, Moody could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years for assault with a dangerous weapon and for a maximum a five years for carrying a pistol without a license 

Moody rejected the plea offer, saying he wanted to continue to trial scheduled on Aug. 27. 

According to court documents, Moody allegedly fired at his family members 27 times before fleeing into a friend’s house. After being granted an emergency search warrant, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found parts of the gun Moody used in the ceiling of his friend’s house. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 20.