Teen Pleads Guilty in Deadly Attack on 64-Year-Old Man

A 15-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to the deadly 2023 attack on a 64-year-old man in Washington, D.C., an incident that has shocked the community and raised questions about youth violence.

At a Glance

The 15-year-old girl pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in the attack on Reggie Brown.
Prosecutors allowed a plea to lesser charges because the teen took responsibility and played a lesser role.
New details and video evidence were presented in court, showing the involvement of five girls and an adult male.
The trial for the remaining four teenagers is set to begin next month in D.C. Superior Court.

Plea Agreement and Charges

One of five teenagers charged in the fatal attack on 64-year-old Reggie Brown has pleaded guilty. The 15-year-old girl, initially charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors identified her foot as the weapon. This plea to lesser charges was allowed because she took responsibility and had a smaller role in the incident.

The teen was also wanted in Maryland for two robberies at the time of the attack. Her attorney pointed out that she immediately took responsibility for her involvement, which influenced the prosecutor’s decision to allow the lesser charge.

One of the five teenagers charged in the fatal beating of a 64-year-old man has entered a guilty plea, while the remaining four are set to face trial in D.C. Superior Court next month, according to a report in The Washington Post. https://t.co/eulofj9lTD

— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) August 21, 2024

Arrest and Court Proceedings

The judge denied the request for the teen to be released to her mother until her sentencing in September. The trial for the remaining four teenagers is set to begin next month in D.C. Superior Court. New details and video evidence were presented in court, showing five girls and an unidentified adult male involved in the incident.

D.C. police detective Harry Singleton testified that an adult male initiated the assault. Surveillance video showed the teens chasing Brown down an alley and attacking him, then appearing celebratory as they walked away. Brown was left with multiple lacerations and contusions. The medical examiner confirmed Brown died from blunt force trauma.

Impact on the Community

Brown’s family stated he had a number of disabilities and had fought cancer. They have been vocal in seeking justice and ensuring that those involved in the crime are held accountable. If convicted, the four teens could be confined to a Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services facility until they turn 21.

Three girls, aged 12 and 13, initially faced charges in connection with the murder. Two additional girls were arrested last month and are also facing second-degree murder charges as juveniles. There was no known connection between Brown and the girls, leading police to believe the attack was random.

Awaiting Justice

The trial for three young girls accused of killing Reggie Brown has been rescheduled for September 3. The first three suspects were arrested about five months after Brown’s death, and more arrests followed. The prosecution has presented evidence demonstrating the severity of the attack, including chilling video footage of the girls celebrating after the assault.

As the community waits for justice, the case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers that can arise from youth violence and the importance of ensuring accountability for all individuals involved, regardless of age. The developments in the courtroom will undoubtedly have lasting implications for the families of both the victim and the defendants.