Lamont Antonio Devore | Homicide Watch DC

David Bolden Sentenced to 13 Years in Plea Deal

Sam Pearson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:07:02 -0400

Judge Herbert Dixon sentenced David Bolden to 13 years in prison Friday after Bolden pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing 33-year-old Lamont Antonio Devore last year.

In accepting the plea, Dixon was required to sentence Bolden to that term, because prosecutors and Bolden’s defense attorney, Renee Raymond, had already agreed on the sentence.

Bolden said he regretted what happened.

“I’d like to say I’m truly sorry,” Bolden said. “I overreacted to the situation, but I’m truly sorry. It didn’t have to go that far.”

The 13-year sentence is at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines for the charge, second-degree murder while armed.

Dixon had questioned Bolden extensively at a February hearing when Bolden entered the plea.

At that hearing, Bolden said he felt his life was in danger when he stabbed Devore. He said he had discussed the possibility of claiming self-defense with his attorney, but decided not to.

Prosecutors, though, have painted Bolden as the aggressor.

Devore and Bolden had argued several times about the amount of time Bolden was spending with the mother of Devore’s children.

The woman and Bolden were having drinks on a porch in the 1500 block of 45th Street Northeast the evening of May 1 when Bolden told her he was upset that Devore had told the mother of Bolden’s children that he was in a relationship with the mother of Devore’s children. He said he wanted to speak with Devore about the issue when they next saw each other, and jumped in his vehicle to drive to confront Devore, prosecutors contend.

When Devore tried to fight him, Bolden stabbed him several times and drove away.

Devore’s bother, James Devore, said he wasn’t happy with the sentence.

“I think he should deserve more time,” Devore said.

Dixon, too, seemed skeptical. He at first rejected the plea agreement. He changed his mind after Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Wheeler explained that prosecutors offered the agreement to Bolden because of issues with the government’s witnesses.

Two people saw Bolden stab Devore, Wheeler said, but one of them was charged in an unrelated case and was later indicted for perjury, although those charges were later dropped.

“Those were seen to be impediments to our case,” Wheeler said.

While Dixon accepted the agreement, he ordered Bolden to pay $1,500 in court costs – all but ensuring he will be in debt when he leaves prison. Bolden also was ordered to complete substance abuse treatment, a mental health evaluation and vocational training.

'I Should Have Fought with My Fists,' David Bolden Says, Pleading Guilty to Murder of Lamont Devore

Penny Ray — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:44:26 -0500

David Bolden, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the fatal stabbing of 34-year-old Lamont Antonio Devore.

Before accepting Bolden's plea, Judge Herbert Dixon questioned him extensively about the events that occurred on May 1, 2012, and asked Bolden what prompted him to stab Devore.

"I felt my life was in danger, too, Your Honor," Bolden said to Dixon. "He has approached me several times with a weapon."

Jackson asked Bolden if he and his attorney had discussed the possibility of going to trial and claiming self-defense; Bolden said he had, but wanted to accepted the plea offer. He said he went too far that day by stabbing Devore.

"I should have fought with my fists," Bolden said.

According to the government's proffer of facts, in the weeks leading up to Devore's death, he and Bolden had argued several times about the amount of time Bolden spent with the mother of Devore's children.

The woman and Bolden were having drinks on a porch in the 1500 block of 45th Street Northeast the evening of May 1. While they were out there, Bolden told her he was upset that Devore had told the mother of Bolden's children that Bolden was in a relationship with the mother of Devore's children.

He told her he was going to speak with Devore about the issue the next time they saw each other, the documents say.

Later, another person joined the pair on the porch, who had just been with Devore. He reportedly told Bolden where to find Devore.

Bolden then jumped in his vehicle and drove to confront Devore, the documents say. Devore turned to fight as Bolden approached him, but when Bolden got within a few feet, he pulled a knife and stabbed Devore several times. Bolden then left in his vehicle.

Devore remained conscious long enough to call police. But he collapsed before help arrived, and died soon after.

Judge Dixon said Wednesday that if he accepts the plea agreement after reading the pre-sentencing report, the sentence will be 13 years in prison. If he does not accept the agreement, though, Bolden will have the opportunity to withdraw his plea.

The offense of second-degree murder while armed carries a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 12.

Clarification: An earlier version of this story said that Bolden was upset that Devore had told the woman about the fights the two men were having. That statement has been clarified.

Plea documents are below.

David Bolden Plea Documents (PDF)David Bolden Plea Documents (Text)

David Bolden Waiver Of Trial (PDF)David Bolden Waiver Of Trial (Text)

Detective: Dying Man Called 911 for Help After Kenilworth Avenue Stabbing

Rebecca Zisser — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:07:19 -0400

At a preliminary hearing today Judge Thomas Motley found probable cause that David Bolden, 33, stabbed 34-year-old Lamont Antonio Devore early in the morning of May 1 on Kenilworth Avenue Northeast.

Metropolitan Police Department Detective, Keith Batton, testified at the hearing. He said Devore called 911 and reported the attack.

“He said he’d been stabbed and that he was dying,” Batton said.

Devore was found in the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue NE suffering from seven stab wounds, three of which were through the heart, said Batton.

Bolden is being held on the charge of first-degree murder while armed.

According to charging documents, detectives believe that Bolden believed that Devore had “said some things” to Bolden’s baby’s mother, causing Bolden “problems.”

“He needs to stay out of my business,” a witness told police they heard Bolden say of Devore.

Bolden’s attorney, Chiquisha Robinson, argued against probable cause, saying the witnesses in the government's case could not be trusted.

Robinson also pointed to someone else, who had two knives when interviewed by police about the attack, who she said was the likely assailant.

Bolden is next due in court Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m.

David Bolden Held in Kenilworth Ave Stabbing

Laura Amico — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:04:10 -0400

David Bolden was ordered held Saturday on a charge of first-degree murder while armed in the stabbing death of Lamont Devore.

According to charging documents, detectives believe that Bolden believed that Devore had "said some things" to Bolden's baby's mother, causing Bolden "problems."

"He needs to stay out of my business," a witness told police they heard Bolden say of Devore.

Devore was fatally stabbed in the early morning of May 1 on Kenilworth Avenue Northeast.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 23.

Charging documents are below.

David Bolden Arrested in Death of Lamont Antonio Devore

Chris Amico — Sat, 05 May 2012 13:39:16 -0400

Police have arrested 33-year-old David Bolden in the death of Lamont Antonio Devore, who died in a stabbing on May 1.

Devore, 34, was found in the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue NE suffering from multiple stab wounds. MPD's press release is below.

May 5, 2012

Arrest Made: Homicide in the 1600 Block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the fatal stabbing which occurred in the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at approximately 1:20 am, units from the Sixth District responded to the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE for the report of a stabbing. Upon their arrival and after a search of the area, they located an adult male suffering multiple stab wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 34 year-old Lamont Antonio Devore of Northeast, Washington, DC.

On Friday, May 4, 2012, at approximately 11:30 pm, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 33 year-old David Bolden of Southeast, Washington, DC, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant and charged him with Murder One while Armed in the fatal stabbing of Lamont Antonio Devore.

NE DC Stabbing Victim Identified as Lamont Antonio Devore

Laura Amico — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:47:43 -0400

A man fatally stabbed early Tuesday morning in northeast DC has been identified as 34-year-old Lamont Antonio Devore.

The stabbing was initially reported to have occurred on Quarles Street; MPD said mid-morning Tuesday that the crime scene was in the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

May 1, 2012

Homicide: 1600 Block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the homicide which occurred in the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE.

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at approximately 1:20 am, units from the Sixth District responded to the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE for the report of a stabbing. Upon their arrival and after a search of the area, they located an adult male suffering multiple stab wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 34 year-old Lamont Antonio Devore of Northeast, Washington, DC.

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.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

Man Killed in Quarles Street Stabbing

Laura Amico — Tue, 01 May 2012 07:37:45 -0400

The Associated Press reports that a man was killed in a stabbing on Quarles Street NE just after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, the first of what two fatal stabbings in the District overnight.

MPD reported at 1:35 a.m.:

6D Stabbing //4500 blk Quarles St NE //A/M stabbed in the abdomen unconscious not breathing //6559 about 9 hours ago via webReply RetweetFavorite @DCPoliceDept DC Police Department

Wrote AP:

Police say they were called to the first stabbing in the 4500 block of Quarles Street in northeast about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities say they found the man suffering from serious stab wounds to the abdomen. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This is the fourth of five reported homicide in DC in four days. A separate overnight stabbing was reported on Florida Avenue NW at about 2:15 Tuesday morning killing one man; just before noon Monday a man was shot on Savannah St SE; Joseph Denard Southall was shot on Edgewood St., NE Sunday; James Ray Sherrod was shot on Kenilworth Terrace NE Saturday.