‘Vile, Angry Man with an Ego,’ Sentenced to 85 Years, Co-Defendant Sentenced to 53 Years 

By Adriana Marroquin - May 2, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Prosecutors deemed a homicide defendant a “vile, angry man with an ego,” as they requested DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentence him to 90 years of incarceration, and his co-defendant to 60 years. 

Vorreze Thomas, 26, and his uncle, Delonta Stevenson, 29, were charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for their involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Terrance Allen. The incident occurred on Jan. 18, 2021, on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE, and left two other individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. 

Thomas was also charged with carrying a rifle outside a home or business, while Stevenson was additionally charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict during offenses committed during release. 

On May 2, Allen’s mother told Judge Demeo that he was a “family man,” who left three children behind. She added that the youngest, who had not been born at the time of his death, will only get to know him through pictures and stories. 

“This Black on Black crime must stop,” said Allen’s mother, stating that Thomas and Stevenson had made the choice to pick up guns and unleash a barren of shots against her son and the two surviving victims. 

“Be a productive member of society instead of a criminal,” she advised the defendants, adding “better your lives.” 

“They [the defendants] are the problem in the community,” said a prosecutor, adding, “they bring violence and chaos,” to the Stanton Glenn Apartment complex, where the incident occurred. 

According to the prosecution, the area “sounded like a war zone,” with 34 shots fired on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021, when Allen was killed.

The prosecution claimed the defendants “inflicted trauma to the community,” causing ripples that continue to affect multiple people. 

“Those two men,” said the prosecutor pointing at the defense table, “are responsible for that.” 

“He [Stevenson] has done nothing to warrant any mercy from this court,” said the prosecution, as they requested Judge Demeo sentence him to 90 years of incarceration, citing his previous criminal history, which included an armed robbery and a domestic violence incident. 

As for Thomas, the prosecution requested 60 years, stating that, although he wasn’t the shooter, he provided the rifle and vehicle used in the incident. They added that he evaded police and led them in a lengthy chase, as he drove the suspect vehicle. 

“There is too much violence in this city,” said the prosecution, adding “this court must send a message” to the community. 

Elizabeth Weller, Stevenson’s defense attorney responded stating that he is a victim of rippling trauma, and it has played a significant role in his decision making. 

“His experience at the jail has been difficult,” Weller stated, elaborating that he continues to deal with “lingering medical effects of being shot,” in 2020. 

She continued, while the prosecution has made Stevenson seem like an animal, she insisted that “there’s more to him than this.” 

She requested Judge Demeo impose a 35 year sentence that “gives him hope for release,” as an incentive to continue improving himself. 

“I sympathize with the decedent’s family… it wasn’t me, I didn’t do it,” said Stevenson to Judge Demeo. 

Howard McEachern, Thomas’ defense attorney, cited Thomas’ “tough upbringing,” as a factor for the judge to sentence him more leniently. 

According to McEachern, Thomas has no criminal history, and his maturity at the time of the incident was not that of a 23-year-old. 

He requested Judge Demeo impose a 30 year sentence. 

However, Judge Demeo stated that, due to the nature and circumstances of the event, “the court is to apply consecutive sentences,” as long as the sentence is not excessive to the nature of the crime, even if the terms become lengthy. 

Thomas was sentenced to 36 months for conspiracy, 360 months for murder, and 120 months for each of the assault with intent to kill charges, which will run consecutive to one another, totaling 53 years. 

He was also sentenced to 60 months for each of the possession charges, and 12 months for carrying a rifle, which will run concurrent to each other and all other charges. 

Thomas will be required to register as a gun offender, get his GED, and receive drug, alcohol and mental health treatment. 

Likewise, Stevenson was sentenced to 60 months for conspiracy, 540 months for the murder, 180 months for each of the assaults with intent to kill, and 12 months for the two offenses committed during release addendums, which will all run consecutively, totaling 85 years. 

He was also sentenced to 60 months for each possession of a firearm charge, and 36 months for possessing a firearm as a convict, which will run concurrent to all charges. 

Stevenson will be required to register as a gun offender, get his GED, and receive drug, alcohol and mental health treatment, as well as anger management counseling.

No further dates were set.