Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.
By
Marissa Stambaugh
- November 15, 2024
Daily Stories
|
Homicides
|
Shooting
|
Suspects
|
Victims
|
DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced a defendant to 80 years incarceration on Nov. 15.
Beysean Jones, 29, is charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting which occurred on July 27, 2022 on the 4300 block of 4th Street SE and resulted in the deaths of 19-year-old Ronald Brown and 41-year-old Tijuan Wilson.
Prosecution requested that because of the “senseless and horrifying violence” of the incident and the lasting effects that this has had–not only one family but many–that Jones should be charged to the full extent of his crimes.
The request was 86 years incarceration or 1042 months. Jones was found guilty on all charges by a jury on June 26, 2024.
Family members of both Brown and Wilson also gave impact statements saying they hope that Jones takes this time to think about his actions and the their consequences.
Defense attorneys Charles Murdter and Carrie Weltz argued that since Jones had been a prior victim of violence and that he should receive the bottom of sentencing guidelines range which is about 60 years.
Weltz emphasized Jones has strong family support demonstrated by a letter written to the judge and that this act was in retaliation for an earlier shooting.
Judge O’Keefe agreed with the prosecution that retaliation could have been avoided simply by calling the cops and that this was just a “waste of life for such a senseless crime.”
Accordingly, Judge O’Keefe sentenced Jones to 80 years of incarceration with five years supervised release. The term is in addition to other ongoing charges.
Judge O’Keefe also ordered if ever Jones is released he must comply with supervised probation as well as register as a gun offender and take a mental health screening.