Antonio Mervin Headspeth | 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.

Comment of the Day: "Everything Done in the Dark comes to Light"

Laura Amico — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:54:32 -0500

This comment of the day is from "Anonymous," who wrote in about Antonio Headspeth.

I cannot imagine your pain and I am so sorry for your loss. The violence in the world is crazy and there is no excuse for it. I always hear people say that some people grow up out here and have to do bad things to other people to survive. I think that is a poor excuse and bs. Parents have more influence over kids than anyone else. If we raise them right and take care of them it would cut down on the bad things they do. If no one steps up to id your son's killer, please rest in the fact that everything done in the dark comes to light anf his killer will be exposed.

Street Memorials: Demetrius Thompson, Andre Wiggins and Antonio Headspeth

Laura Amico — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:27:10 -0500

Washington's Other Monuments has photos of street memorials for recent homicide victims Demetrius Thompson, Andre Wiggins and Antonio Headspeth.

See more photos at Washington's Other Monuments.

"Who ever took my brother's life please turn yourself in."

Laura Amico — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:59:06 -0400

The family of Antonio Headspeth, who was found shot to death in Barry Farms early Monday morning, is asking for help.

Writes Kathleen McCoy,

Antonio was my brother he had other siblings and a mother and father that love him dearly. Who ever took my brother's life please turn yourself in.

Barry Farms Shooting Victim Identified as Antonio Headspeth

Laura Amico — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:40:11 -0400

A man found dead in Barry Farms early Monday morning has been identified as 25-year-old Antonio Headspeth of Southeast DC.

He was found in the rear of the 1100 block of Stevens Road, SE shot to death, MPD said.

MPD's press release is below.

October 17, 2011

Homicide: 1200 Block of Stevens Road, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the fatal shooting which occurred in the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE.

On Monday, October 17, 2011 at approximately 1:32 am, units from the Seventh District responded to the 1200 block of Stevens Road, SE to investigate the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they located an unconscious and unresponsive male suffering from gunshot wounds in the rear of the 1100 block of Stevens Road, SE. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life and was pronounced dead by a member of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

The decedent has been identified as 25 year-old Antonio Headspeth of Southeast, Washington, DC.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099 or
1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.
Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-800-673-2777 and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Man Found Shot Dead in Barry Farms Monday Morning

Laura Amico — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:01:35 -0400

A man was shot and killed in Barry Farms early Monday morning, WJLA and Fox5 report this morning.

The shooting was reported at about 1:30 a.m.

Fox5 reported that an adult male was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head.

It was the second homicide within five hours in the District.

D.C. Police Investigate Two Homicides: MyFoxDC.com