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By
Mia Kimm
- April 4, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a shooting defendant to one year of incarceration and three years of supervised release, all suspended, with one year of probation on April 1.
On Jan. 31, Devaughn Branham, 22, pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in two shootings that occurred on Nov. 7, 2024 on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE and on the 500 block of Parkland Place, SE.
The prosecution requested 12 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release. They acknowledged that Branham is young and accepted responsibility. However, they also noted the dangerous nature of a firearm offense and his criminal history.
Branham’s defense attorney, Madhuri Swarna, requested one year of probation and a sentence under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) which would seal Branham’s case once he successfully completes all sentencing requirements.
Swarna explained that Branham’s mother has medical issues; his father passed away and Branham didn’t get counseling to help resolve his grief. In addition, Branham grew up in an area where gun violence is prevalent, citing the loss of his two best friends killed by gun violence and Branham himself survived a gunshot wound in the mouth during a robbery.
In response, Branham took an anger management program and expressed wants to participate in substance abuse, mental health, and job development programs..
Noting his criminal record and personal experience, Judge Di Toro imposed a sentence of one year of incarceration with all time suspended except for time served, three years of supervised release all time suspended, and one year of probation.
Judge Di Toro also granted the defense request for a sentence under the YRA, which requires Branham to participate in 90 hours of community service, refrain from drug and alcohol use, substance abuse and mental health treatment, grief counseling, gun offender registration, and enrollment in vocational training.
No further dates were set.