David Bolden, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Lamont Antonio Devore.
Before accepting Bolden’s plea, Judge Herbert Dixon questioned him extensively about the events that occurred on May 1, 2012, and asked Bolden what prompted him to stab Devore.
“I felt my life was in danger, too, Your Honor,” Bolden said to Dixon. “He has approached me several times with a weapon.”
Jackson asked Bolden if he and his attorney had discussed the possibility of going to trial and claiming self-defense; Bolden said he had, but wanted to accepted the plea offer. He said he went too far that day by stabbing Devore.
“I should have fought with my fists,” Bolden said.
According to the government’s proffer of facts, in the weeks leading up to Devore’s death, he and Bolden had argued several times about the amount of time Bolden spent with the mother of Devore’s children.
The woman and Bolden were having drinks on a porch in the 1500 block of 45th Street Northeast the evening of May 1. While they were out there, Bolden told her he was upset that Devore had told the mother of Bolden’s children that Bolden was in a relationship with the mother of Devore’s children.
He told her he was going to speak with Devore about the issue the next time they saw each other, the documents say.
Later, another person joined the pair on the porch, who had just been with Devore. He reportedly told Bolden where to find Devore.
Bolden then jumped in his vehicle and drove to confront Devore, the documents say. Devore turned to fight as Bolden approached him, but when Bolden got within a few feet, he pulled a knife and stabbed Devore several times. Bolden then left in his vehicle.
Devore remained conscious long enough to call police. But he collapsed before help arrived, and died soon after.
Judge Dixon said Wednesday that if he accepts the plea agreement after reading the pre-sentencing report, the sentence will be 13 years in prison. If he does not accept the agreement, though, Bolden will have the opportunity to withdraw his plea.
The offense of second-degree murder while armed carries a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 12.
Clarification: An earlier version of this story said that Bolden was upset that Devore had told the woman about the fights the two men were having. That statement has been clarified.
Plea documents are below.
