Vernon McRae | Homicide Watch DC

Vernon McRae Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Death of Stepfather

Laura Amico — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:17:03 -0400

Vernon McRae was sentenced last week to five years in prison for the involuntary manslaughter of his stepfather, Michael Washington, during a drunken argument in October.

McRae pleaded guilty to the charge in February.

According to prosecutor's sentencing memorandum to the courts,

On October 26, 2010, following a verbal argument, Vernon McRae punched his stepfather, Michael Washington, once in the head. Michael Washington fell back and hit his head on the ground, and on November 1, 2010, Michael Washington died as a result of the injuries her received on October 26, 2010.

McRae expressed "significant remorse" for his actions, prosecutors wrote.

"Even before his stepfather died, [McRae] accepted responsibility for his conduct, and apologized repeatedly to various family members," the sentencing memorandum states.

Still, Judge Gerald Fisher's sentence of 5 years, or 60 months, was significantly longer than the 36 months prosecutors recommended for the crime.

Read the sentencing documents below.

Vernon McRae Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Murder of 63-year-old Man

Laura Amico — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:17:32 -0500

Vernon McRae pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter in the death of 63-year-old Michael Washington, who died after an assault on Oct. 26, 2010 at a Morris Road Southeast apartment.

McRae, 22, is due in court April 29 for sentencing.

In court documents, authorities asserted that McRae and Washington had been in an argument and McRae had threatened to hit Washington if he called police.

Charging documents allege that McRae struck Washington, who then fell to the floor, hitting his head. Washington was knocked unconscious in the incident and was unconscious for a half hour before emergency responders were called to aid him.

McRae was presented with a second-degree murder charge in the case on Nov. 5, 2010. He entered his plea today to involuntary manslaughter before the case went to a preliminary hearing.

Preliminary Hearing Postponed for Vernon McRae, Held in October Homicide

Laura Amico — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:55:54 -0500

Vernon McRae was due in court today for a preliminary hearing, but the date was rescheduled to Feb. 16. This is the fifth time a preliminary hearing in McRae's case has been delayed.

The 22-year-old man is charged with second-degree murder in a D.C. homicide and remains jailed at least until next week's court date.

Preliminary hearings are used to determine whether there is enough evidence to indict a defendant on murder charges.

McRae is being held on suspicion of killing 63-year-old Michael Washington on Oct. 26, 2010. According to charging documents in the case, authorities believe McRae struck Washington, who then fell to the floor, hitting his head. Washington was knocked unconscious in the incident and was unconscious for a half hour before emergency responders were called to aid him.

McRae was presented with the second-degree murder charge on Nov. 5, 2010. Preliminary hearings have been scheduled in his case for Nov. 15, Nov. 30, Jan. 21, Feb. 10, and now Feb. 16.

Charging documents in the case are here.

Vernon McRae

Laura Amico — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:19:12 -0500

Vernon McRae's preliminary trial was continued this morning to Tuesday Nov. 30.

Charging documents for Vernon McRae

Laura Amico — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:19:30 -0500

The 22 year-old man charged with killing 63-year-old Michael Washington had been in an argument with Washington and had threatened to hit him if he should call police, charging documents in the case allege.

Vernon McRae, of Southeast D.C., is charged with second-degree murder. According to court documents, Washington was knocked unconscious the night of Oct. 26, when McRae struck him and he fell to the floor hitting his head. He "was unconscious on the floor for aproxomatly thirty minutes before emergency personel were summoned to transport him to the hospital," the affidavit states.

Washington died Nov. 1

McRae is in custody at the Central Detention Facility. His date of birth is Oct. 16, 1988. He is due in court Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing and is represented by Eugene Ohm. The documents are embedded below.

Vernon McRae | Homicide Watch DC

Vernon McRae Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Death of Stepfather

Vernon McRae Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Murder of 63-year-old Man

Preliminary Hearing Postponed for Vernon McRae, Held in October Homicide

Vernon McRae

Charging documents for Vernon McRae

McRae Affidavit

McRae Arraignment

McRae Complaint