Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.
By
Laura Berol
- February 14, 2025
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
stabbing
|
Suspects
|
Delvin Martin and Kenneth Watkins pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon before D.C. Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Feb. 14.
Martin, 47, and Watkins, 38, were originally charged with assault with significant bodily injury, and Martin was additionally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, for a stabbing incident on Dec. 31, 2024, on the unit block of M Street, SE, that left one person injured.
Martin and Watkins accepted a plea deal that was wired, meaning both defendants had to accept it for the prosecutor to honor it.
In return for Martin’s and Watkins’ guilty pleas, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss all other charges related to the case. He also agreed to request sentences at the midpoint of the sentencing guidelines for Martin and in the lowest third of the sentencing guidelines for Watkins.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of $12,500, with a three-year period of supervised release and a payment of $100-to-$5,000 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.
Watkins admitted to punching the victim repeatedly, fracturing his ribs. Martin admitted to striking the victim on the head multiple times with a bottle, causing lacerations that required stitches.
Court documents state Martin was in a wheelchair at the time of the assault. According to arrest documents, Martin visibly damaged the arresting officers’ vehicle by kicking it and smashed the window of his jail cell with an arm he broke off his wheelchair.
T. Gail Maddox-Levine, Watkins’ attorney, asked Judge Arthur to release Watkins pending sentencing. She argued Watkins is Martin’s godson and attacked the victim only because Martin was bleeding from the head and said the victim caused his injury.
The prosecutor opposed Watkins’ release based on the violence of the incident. He said Watkins punched the victim for several minutes, knocking him down each time he got up from the ground until he finally collapsed.
Judge Arthur denied the request for Watkins’ release.
Martin’s and Watkins’ sentencing is scheduled for April 18.