To Proceed with Sentencing, Counsel Confirms Defendant’s Completion of High School

By Sofia Feigelson [former] - July 12, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Robbery | Shooting | Suspects |

On July 12, defense counsel for a shooting defendant confirmed that the defendant would be concluding his education shortly.

On June 15, 2023, Martel Howard, 24, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment. Howard’s accomplice, 23-year-old Jinmar Fuentes, accepted the same plea offer. 

Howard was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for assaulting a male victim in a robbery attempt on July 31, 2022, on the 2000 block of 14th Street, NW. 

At the hearing, Martel’s defense attorney Terrance Austin affirmed that he was doing well in school and was on track to graduate by September. Austin had previously requested a continuance for sentencing in order for Martel to receive his high school diploma.

Austin added that his client “has been working very hard” in the meantime and has been receiving various certifications.

According to court documents, the victim and another male individual exited a bar at the location shortly before Howard and Fuentes approached them and shots were fired. Video surveillance captures the shooting.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived at the scene and located the victim, who was later transported to George Washington Hospital for emergency surgery, with two gunshot wounds to his right arm and one gunshot wound to his chest, according to court documents.

Parties are scheduled to return before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan for sentencing on Sept. 6.