Derek Turrentine, 43, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the fatal shooting of James Thomas Price in September 2024. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The plea agreement, which requires approval from the Court at sentencing, includes a proposed sentence of 17 years in prison followed by supervised release. Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman accepted the factual basis for the plea and scheduled sentencing for October 17, 2025.
According to information presented during the plea hearing, on September 15, 2024, Turrentine followed Price into an alley behind 400 50th Street NE. After Price stopped and turned to face him, Turrentine drew a firearm and approached Price. A struggle ensued before Turrentine fired several shots at Price, resulting in his death.
Turrentine was taken into custody in March 2025 and has remained detained since his arrest.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the plea. The case was investigated by members of the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bromwich.
