DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced a homicide defendant to 168 months, or 14 years, of incarceration on July 10.
On Oct. 11, 2024, Chanos Monroe, 43, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm prior conviction for his involvement in the fatal beating of 52-year-old Keith Sistare on July 27, 2022, on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE.
During the sentencing, the victim’s mother and daughter shared their impact statements with the court, while both grew visibly distressed. Sistare’s daughter stated, “I don’t think I’ll ever understand.”
“You took my father away from me… You stomped my father’s head into the ground like a piece of trash,” she cried.
“You could’ve walked away, but decided to be the judge, jury, and executioner,” said Sistare’s mother. Both women left the courtroom, with Sistare’s daughter unable to finish her statement.
Afterwards, Monroe also spoke, stating “I do have remorse” and “It was never my intention for him to lose his life.” He said how, “That’s my family…she’s pregnant with my child,” referring to his wife in the car screaming when Sistare entered the vehicle during and argument, and now “my daughter gotta stand here on her birthday, and watch me get sentenced.”
The prosecution explained that Monroe had a choice to walk away, however, he continued to attack Sistare. Monroe, the prosecution continued, has past offenses, including carrying an illegal firearm while refusing to address a history of anger and violence making him a danger to the community.
However Monroe’s attorney, Thomas Healey said Monroe has shown remorse and has a desire to change by taking responsibility for his actions and pleading guilty. Healey also stated this was a terrible case for everyone including Monroe’s and Sistare’s families which Monroe has decided to own.
Judge O’Keefe sentenced Monroe to 132 months, five years supervised release for voluntary manslaughter, and 36 months, three years supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm prior conviction. Both sentences are to run consecutively, totaling 168 months, and Monroe is to register as a gun offender.
Judge O’Keefe also ordered Monroe receive trauma counseling, mental evaluation, submit DNA samples, and most importantly, to complete anger management training. .
No further dates were set.
