WASHINGTON - Terrell Patton, 20, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed stemming from a slaying that took place in October 2009 in Northeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Patton entered the plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a sentence of up to 11 years of incarceration. The Honorable Robert E. Morin scheduled sentencing for June 21, 2013.
According to the government’s evidence, on Oct. 29, 2009, at about 10:30 p.m., Patton, also, known as, “Fatman," was observed with the victim, Deuante Ray, 20, in the area of the 1200 block of 49th Place NE. Another individual observed Patton in possession of a nine-millimeter handgun. A third person noted that the defendant was angry with Mr. Ray because he believed that Mr. Ray had taken his pack of Ecstasy pills valued at roughly $80.
At approximately midnight, Patton called Mr. Ray’s friend and asked to talk to Mr. Ray. He told Mr. Ray to meet him on 49th Street. Mr. Ray was last seen riding a bicycle and entering a rear alley off the 1100 block of 48th Street NE with Patton.
By Patton’s own admissions, he permitted Mr. Ray to use his cellphone to call Mr. Ray’s girlfriend. Mr. Ray made one call to his girlfriend at 12:20 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2009, and a second call at 12:30 a.m., which ended at 12:35 a.m. Phone records and other witnesses confirm that Mr. Ray had used Patton’s telephone.
ShotSpotter technology recorded gunfire at 12:35:15 a.m. in the rear alley. A witness heard shots and observed a thin person and a heavier individual in the alley. This witness called 911 at 12:36 a.m. This witness also saw the heavier individual, believed to be Patton, take a bike. The witness was unable to make any identification.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived at approximately 12:40 a.m. and found Mr. Ray’s body. He had been shot at close range in the head and also in the chest with a nine-millimeter weapon. He was found with his pants down, and his pockets turned out. Mr. Ray was known to typically carry a wallet, and none was found. His bike also was missing.
Patton was arrested in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 2011 and has been incarcerated since.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the MPD detectives and officers who investigated the case. He also acknowledged the effort of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s office, including Paralegal Specialists Kelly Blakeney, Fern Rhedrick and Phaylyn Hunt; Investigators Stephen Cohen, Durand Odom and Tommy Miller; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Goodhand of the Appellate Section. Finally, he commended the work of Cynthia G. Wright, of the Homicide Section, who prosecuted the case.
13-136
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
