The man suspected of fatally shooting 36-year-old Ralph Thomas outside McKinley Tech High School in June has pleaded guilty to the charges against him and faces a minimum of 14 years incarceration.
According to charging documents, Oma Crawford, 25-year-old Maryland man, shot Thomas on June 3 after an argument about Thomas communicating with Crawford’s wife.
In pleading guilty to second-degree murder while armed in the case Friday, Crawford, an athlete with semi-pro football team the DC Falcons, proffered that he believed Thomas, a manager of the team, was having a sexual relationship with his wife.
According to Crawford’s proffer,
On June 3, 201 l, [Crawford] brought a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol in a bag to the Falcons` practice at McKinley Technology High School located at l5l Street N.E. In the parking lot of the school. [Crawford] and [Thomas] discussed the situation involving the [Crawford’s] wife. [Crawford] then ran to his bag, which he had left on the edge of the parking lot, and pulled the .330 out of it. [Crawford] then chased [Thomas] around the parking lot, firing at least four shots at [Thomas]. who was unarmed.
In pleading guilty to second-degree murder while armed, Crawford could face a sentence of life in prison. According to the plea deal however, prosecutor have agreed to seek a sentence of 14 to 20 years of incarceration.
The minimum sentence for the charge according to sentencing guidelines is five years.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7.
