Marcus Hazel, a 32-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to strangling his romantic partner, Sandy Watts. The plea was entered in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to a charge of strangulation. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the development.
Hazel was released by a Superior Court judge pending sentencing, which is scheduled for March 20, 2026. The release occurred despite objections from the government.
According to evidence presented by the government, on November 28, 2025, Hazel and Watts were at an apartment located in the 2700 block of New York Avenue, NE. An argument began after Hazel became upset about losing his cell phone. Watts offered her own phone for him to use until he could replace his lost device. Hazel rejected this offer and demanded that she buy him a new phone instead. He then began cursing and arguing with Watts. After she repeatedly asked him to leave the apartment, Hazel placed both hands around her neck and applied pressure, restricting her ability to breathe. He then slammed her to the floor and continued applying pressure to her neck until she nearly lost consciousness before fleeing on foot.
Hazel was arrested on November 29, 2025, and has remained in custody since that time.
Interim Chief Jeffrey W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined in announcing the plea. The Metropolitan Police Department is conducting the investigation into this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elias Feldman from the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section is prosecuting the case.
