‘Your Role in Killing That Man Cannot Be Erased or Excused,’ Judge Tells Juvenile at Sentencing

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“He made a choice to participate in the gun violence that plagues our city,” a prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell as he ordered a juvenile convicted of murder to be detained by the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) until 21, during a July 30 hearing.

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, was convicted of first-and-second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

The charges stemmed from his involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jihad Darden, which occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW.

At the hearing, through victim impact statements, Darden’s family deemed him as “A young man whose life was senselessly cut short before he reached his full potential.”

“What was stolen from me on Dec. 18 was my best friend, my soulmate, my love,” said Darden’s girlfriend in a letter read by a victim advocate.

Likewise, Darden’s mom told the court she, “lost [her] precious kid,” and their “suffering goes past losing [her] son,” yet she still forgives the boy.

The prosecution asked Judge Crowell to order the juvenile detained until his twenty-first birthday, stating that he “killed Jihad and took him from the people that loved him the most.”

The prosecutor argued detention will guarantee the youth receives the rehabilitation and treatment he needs to be a productive member of society at the time of his release.

She also stated they want him to work to transition back to the community.

Amanda Epstein, the boy’s attorney, requested he be sentenced for a probationary period, stating the legal statute is not about punishment but rehabilitation in the least restrictive setting for juveniles.

According to Epstein, the boy is in the bottom three percent of juveniles that pose a violence or danger risk.

“He is not a danger to the community,” she told Judge Crowell, adding that he needs help to move past trauma.

“He is much more than the charges,” Epstein said. She requested that, if Judge Crowell is opposed to a probationary period, he limits detention to his 18th birthday.

She requested Judge Crowell craft a sentence to help him, but that is not long enough to hurt him.

“This was a very challenging case,” Judge Crowell said, adding that, “this was a 15-year-old that committed a very serious adult crime.”

“The focus here is the reformation of a wrong-doer,” he told the juvenile. “It is heartbreaking,” Judge Crowell said, adding that the juvenile’s “role in killing that man cannot be erased or excused.”

No further dates were set.