DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a homicide defendant to 17 years of imprisonment on Feb. 27.
On Dec. 12, 2025, Roy Jordan, 23, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Gary Love III on Nov. 20, 2023, on the 4600 block of South Capitol Street, SW.
According to prosecutors, Love’s death occurred during a shootout between Love and Jordan, during which Love shot first after Jordan brandished a firearm at him.
During the hearing, several of Love’s family members delivered impact statements, including his twin sister who highlighted he was “a good person.”
“I’ve been on the other side, where you’re at,” Love’s dad said to Jordan, adding, “This is going to be a growing moment for you. I don’t hold no hatred.”
Love’s dad told Jordan, “this is your chance to evolve. You’re going to grow every day, but evolve. Love’s dad recalled his time in the system, which he stated caused him to spend 30 years in prison, including at the time when Love was shot and killed.
“Just try to get yourself together,” he continued, “start making a change before you continue a legacy of the same repeated stuff.”
Love’s great uncle told Jordan, “I pray to God that he find you and you find him,” adding the senseless violence in the city “is a cycle that needs to be broken… looking at you, I’m looking at him. Learn to love one another.”
Love’s mom highlighted her family’s trauma and loss, stating “the loss extends deeply into the next generation,” and impacts Love’s child, who was born after Love’s death. “He will miss every birthday, school event, and moments a father should be there for,” Love’s mom cried.
She added, “religion and the world suggest forgiveness, but I cannot offer it to you. The answer is no. This loss will haunt me every day for the rest of my life.”
“You took my kid. I have no words of peace for you. Whatever happens, I hate you. I hate you, I hate your family. I don’t care. Whatever happens to you, here, there, or in the next life, so be it,” she continued, stating, “whatever the judge says, that’s not justice for me.”
The prosecution stated that the incident arose from Jordan illegally owning and possessing a firearm, and bringing it to a convenience store on the day of the incident.
“The gun is the problem,” the prosecutor insisted, arguing that despite a court’s order for Jordan to not possess a gun he chose to have it and use it that day.
The prosecution highlighted Jordan’s failure to call 911 – despite his claim that he feared for his life.
“The bigger question is why did this happen,” the prosecutor said, stating there were rumors that it was due to the possibility of a robbery of a coat Jordan wore, which retailed at more than $1,000. However, he argued Jordan’s actions were “unreasonable.”
Prosecutors also emphasized this is not Jordan’s first time in the criminal justice system. According to the prosecutor, Jordan was on probation at the time of Love’s death for a carjacking in Maryland, for which he received a 30-year suspended sentence, and a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) sentence, which would have sealed his conviction if he had successfully completed all sentencing requirements.
“Despite the fact Roy Jordan had already received the benefit, he decided to commit a crime of violence,” the prosecutor insisted, adding “he doesn’t care.”
“He still wanted to live a criminal life style, still had a gun,” the prosecutor continued, stating “time after time after time, courts and people have given Mr. Jordan an opportunity… all of his chances have been squandered, and now a man is dead because of that.”
“This type of behavior is unacceptable. You cannot continue to be given opportunities and throw them all away. At some point that has to stop,” the prosecutor told Judge Brandt, requesting she impose a 17 year sentence.
Antoini Jones, Jordan’s attorney, expressed his sincerest condolences to Love’s family. He insisted Jordan didn’t plan for the shooting to happen, and he “did not leave his house that night with plans to harm anyone.”
Jordan knew “something was wrong,” Jones said, stating Jordan acted out of fear. “He didn’t go there to do it. He didn’t go there to cause any harm to Mr. Love,” Jones insisted. “He did though, and he did fully, at all times, take responsibility. He lives with that every day.”
Jones requested Jordan be sentenced under the YRA to nine-and-a-half years, citing his maturity and growth during his incarceration.
Jordan’s dad apologized to Love’s family on behalf of his son, stating he understands Love’s family’s pain, in a different way. “It’s the same pain because I’ll be without you, and they’ll be without their son,” Jordan’s dad said. “Nobody wins.”
“I just want to apologize,” Jordan told Judge Brandt, after she read a letter he wrote to her, which was not read in open court.
Judge Brandt expressed her sincerest condolences to Love’s family, highlighting their pain, agony and trauma. She also thanked Jordan’s dad for his “emotional, but heartfelt” statement to his son and Love’s family.
Judge Brandt highlighted multiple letters of support for Jordan stating they want him to grow and learn from this.
“I really hope that you do. But something [the prosecutor] said during the allocution struck me. Because it really is at the root of what has brought us here today. [The prosecutor] mentioned something about the opportunities squandered, and now a man is dead,” Judge Brandt said.
She recalled the multiple opportunities given to him by courts to grow and become a productive member of society, “and nothing changed, which is why I’m having a semi-hard time wrapping my mind around this whole concept – that you believe that you have matured while you have been locked up at the jail.”
Parties discussed a disciplinary report for Jordan’s alleged possession of contraband in the jail – though it’s unclear what the contraband was.
“I see you as a person. I see you. I’ve seen you every day when you have come to various hearings. I know you’ve wanted to step up and take responsibility for this from the jump,” Judge Brandt said. However, she stated, “It wouldn’t be fair for the court to sentence at the bottom of the guidelines,” due to Jordan’s criminal history.
Judge Brandt imposed a 17 year sentence, and denied the request for it to be under the YRA. “How people act and react to things while they are incarcerated pretrial is a telltale sign of how they might act once they go to prison,” she said. “I’m not in a position to give a youth act sentence.”
“At the end of the day, this was a senseless act of violence,” Judge Brandt stated. “By the grace of whoever anyone prays to, innocent bystanders weren’t struck.”
No further dates were scheduled.
