Judge Russell Canan found substantial probability Monday in the case against Allen Culver. Prosecutors have charged Culver with the shooting death of 31-year-old Robert Plight. Culver remains held pending a grand jury investigation.
Police found Plight on June 1 around 8:10 pm on the 4400 block of Benning Road Northeast suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Plight was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two weeks later, Culver, 24, was arrested and held on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed in connection with Plight’s death.
At a preliminary hearing Monday, Metropolitan Police Detective Marvin Washington testified that witnesses told police that Plight was shot and killed after Culver robbed Plight’s brother.
“[Plight] approached Mr. Culver and asked him why he committed the robbery,” Washington said. “Culver then pulled out a gun and shot him once.”
Arrest documents in the case state that Culver robbed Plight’s brother, and friends, as they walked from a gas station on the 4400 block of Benning Road Northeast.
Witnesses told police that Culver said to the group, “I don’t want to fight. What you have in your pockets?” documents state. Culver then began patting the group down saying, “Are you willing to die for your money?”
Culver let the group leave, but they returned minutes later accompanied by Plight.
Witnesses told police that when Plight approached Culver and questioned him about the alleged robbery attempt, Culver pulled a handgun from his pocket and shot Plight once in the chest. Culver then ran into a building on the 200 block of 43rd Road NE, according to police.
Charging documents say that Plight’s younger brother and friends followed Culver into the building and a fight ensued leaving Culver with cuts and bruises on his face.
A felony status conference is scheduled for December 13.
