A fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea offer that carries a 16 year prison sentence before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Aug. 7.
Cornell Day, 38, was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Darius Young on March 13, 2025 on the 5000 block of H Street, SE. Young sustained two gunshot wounds to the torso.
At the hearing, Day pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed. Under the plea deal, parties agreed to 16 years in prison and five years of supervised release, pending Judge Edelman’s approval of the sentence. Day will also be required to register as a gun offender.
According to the prosecution, Day reportedly encountered and greeted Young on a sidewalk, they had a verbal confrontation and brief shoving match, before Day shot twice at Young. Young was unarmed at the time. The Metropolitan Police Department reported six gunshots at the scene.
Young’s father, who was present in the courtroom, said that he was “deeply disappointed” about the plea offer as a grieving parent and former member of law enforcement.
“Our son was lying there lifeless, while the accused allegedly had the ability to leave, change clothes, and watch the aftermath,” said Young’s father.
Young’s father said that under the circumstances, he disagrees with 16 years of imprisonment.
“We are not in agreement with this plea offer and I hope you, your honor, take the opportunity to refuse this offer as well,” Young’s father told Judge Edelman.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene for sentencing on Nov. 6.
