Michael Marshall | Homicide Watch DC

Michael Marshall Withdraws Guilty Plea

Megan Arellano — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 15:20:02 -0400

Judge Rhonda Winston allowed Michael Marshall to withdraw his plea to second-degree murder Wednesday in connection with the death of Antonio Headspeath. In April, Marshall pleaded guilty to the charge and prosecutors planned to dismiss charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and five related gun charges in exchange for his plea.

Headspeath, 25, died on October 17, 2011 from multiple gunshot wounds. Police found him after 1:32 a.m. in the 1100 block of Stevens Road Southeast with no signs consistent with life.

William Miller, spokesperson for the United States Attorneys' Office, said Wednesday that Marshall will again face the six charges on his indictment.

Prosecutors believe that Marshall approached Headspeth at about 1:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of Stevens Road Southeast and shot at Headspeth at least 13 times.

Police found the gun that killed Headspeth at Marshall’s girlfriend’s grandmother’s house, charging documents say. Marshall was identified by a witness near the shooting and another witness described Marshall’s attempt to remove and dispose of the gun, according to the documents.

A status hearing in the case is set for July 28.

Michael Marshall Pleads Guilty to 2011 Shooting Death of Antonio Headspeth

Dana Jennings — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 17:23:11 -0400

Michael Marshall pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting of Antonio Headspeth. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and five related gun charges.

The maximum sentence for second-degree murder is 40 years in prison, but Marshall's plea recommends a sentence between 12 and 16 years in prison.

Assistant US Attorney Lara Worm told the court that Marshall approached Headspeth at the 1100 block of Stevens Road Southeast on October 17, 2011 at about 1:30 a.m. and shot at least 13 times at Headspeth. Then, Marshall fled the scene.

According to the proffer of facts, police found the murder weapon at Marshall’s girlfriend’s grandmother’s house and matched it to the gun that shot and killed Headspeth, said Worm.

Headspeth was found dead by police lying against a chained link fence with multiple gunshot wounds.

Marshall was identified by a witness near the shooting and another witness described Marshall’s attempt to remove and dispose of the gun, according to charging documents.

Winston asked if Marshall was pleading guilty because he had actually committed the crime, to which Marshall responded in a low, quiet voice, “Yes Your Honor.”

Sentencing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on June 20.

Correction April 16: This story has corrected Marshall's name in the last paragraph.

Plea documents have been added to this post.

Michael Marshall Plea Docs (PDF)Michael Marshall Plea Docs (Text)

Michael Marshall Pleads Innocent to Antonio Headspeth Murder

Penny Ray — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 16:14:21 -0400

Michael Marshall was arraigned Friday on charges of first-degree murder, obstructing justice and related weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of 25-year-old Antonio Mervin Headspeth. Marshall pleaded innocent to all charges.

Headspeth was found shot and killed in the 1100 block of Stevens Road Southeast around 1:30 a.m. October 17, 2011. His body was lying against a chain-linked fence and surrounded by thirteen .40 caliber shell casings. Marshall was arrested a year later in connection with Headspeth's death.

Charging documents in the case say Marshall was identified as a suspect through witness statements and ballistics evidence. A witness told police that Marshall was attempting to discard of a handgun at his girlfriend’s grandmother’s house. The gun was turned over to law enforcement and ballistic testing later confirmed that the weapon was used to shoot Headspeth.

Marshall is scheduled for a status hearing August 23.

The indictment is below.

Michael Marshall Indictment (PDF)Michael Marshall Indictment (Text)

Michael Marshall Charged in Murder of Antonio Headspeth

Penny Ray — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:48:50 -0400

A preliminary hearing for Michael Marshall, suspected in the murder of Antonio Headspeth, was delayed today after prosecutors and defense attorneys asked the court for more time to conduct investigations and possibly discuss a plea offer.

Marshall, 25, was arrested Oct. 1 in connection with Headspeth's death. Headspeth was found dead Oct. 17, 2011 by MPD officers. His body was lying against a chain-linked fence in the 1100 block of Stevens Road in Southeast D.C. Around him were 13 .40 caliber shell casings and two bullet fragments, according to charging documents in the case.

According to an arrest warrant in the case, Marshall was identified as a suspect through witness statements and ballistics evidence. A witness told police that Marshall was attempting to discard of a handgun at his girlfriend's grandmother's house. The gun was turned over to law enforcement and ballistic testing later confirmed that the weapon was used to shoot Headspeth.

Marshall is suspected of second-degree murder. The preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for November 16.

Charging documents in the case are below.