A judge sentenced Arvel Wills to four years in prison Friday in connection with the death of his 25-year-old cousin, Dewayne Wills.
During sentencing Friday, Arvel Wills was visibly upset, often wiping tears from his eyes with a sleeve or a tissue.
“What I did was wrong. It was an accident,” Arvel Wills said Friday. “We were like brothers. I love my cousin. I’d never hurt my cousin at all.”
Prosecutors said Friday that the death of Dewayne Wills was a tragic loss for the family and that Arvel Wills has been cooperative from the beginning of the investigation. Arvel Wills’ defense attorney, Frederick Iverson, agreed and added that the death was an accident fueled by alcohol.
“It does matter to me that you have accepted responsibility from the beginning,” Judge Ronna Beck said, addressing Arvel Wills. “I hope you find peace within yourself for what you did.”
Court documents state that on May 26, 2012 Dewayne Wills was brought by a private vehicle to Washington Hospital Medical Center suffering from an open laceration to the head. Medical workers said he was intoxicated and claimed that he had hit his head on the sidewalk, documents state.
Family members, though, told police Dewayne Wills had gotten in a fight with his cousin, Arvel Wills. A CT scan revealed that Dewayne Wills suffered a four-inch skull fracture near his left ear, documents state. He would die nine days later.
More than three months later, Arvel Wills, 24, was arrested and held on suspicion of second-degree murder in his cousin’s death.
In October, he pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Plea documents state that witnesses told police that around 4 a.m. the day of the altercation the two cousins were both intoxicated and arguing near the intersection of L Street and Abbey Place Northeast.
The argument turned physical when witnesses saw Dewayne Wills throw two punches at Arvel Wills, court documents state. Witnesses said that Arvel Wills then picked Dewayne Wills up by his head and legs and forcibly slammed him into the concrete street.
Arvel Wills then got on his bike and rode away, later calling police to report the incident, plea documents state.
Emotions ran high Friday as family members of both the defendant and victim sat in court weeping, some leaving the courtroom visibly shaken.
“As a family, we all forgive him with all our heart,” Arvel Wills’ aunt said to the court Friday with tears running down her face. “This was an honest accident. We’re here to support him.”
Sentencing documents have been added to this post below.
