Robert Spencer | Homicide Watch DC

"You owe me to be a productive citizen of our community," mother of Robert Spencer says at William Hogan's Sentencing

Ivan Natividad — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 17:02:08 -0500

Judge Ronna Beck sentenced William Hogan to 15 years in prison Friday for the September 2013 shooting death of 21-year-old Robert Spencer.

"There could have been a conviction here that would have given the defendant more time in prison," Judge Beck said Friday.

Turning to Hogan she said, "I hope you understand that what you did was useless and senseless."

Spencer was found by police on September 17, 2013 at approximately 10:22 pm suffering from a gunshot wound on the 100 block of Irvington St. Southwest. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Twelve days later Hogan, 28, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in Spencer's death. In November, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the case.

Spencer's mother, Tina Spencer, addressed the court at sentencing Friday.

With tears running down her face she expressed the pain of losing her son and the pain of seeing "young people in the street who think taking a life is an option."

Turning to Hogan, she said, "You owe me. When you do get out you owe me to be a productive citizen of our community. You get that chance that you didn't give my son."

Hogan would be 43 years old when released if he were to serve his entire sentence.

Added Spencer, "I forgive you with all my heart."

For the majority of the sentencing Hogan cried quietly, often wiping tears from his eyes.

Reading from a hand written letter, Hogan apologized to Spencer's family.

"No mother deserves to lose their son," Hogan said. "I thank you for forgiving me. I didn't want to kill him, but if there is anything I can do for you, I will."

Plea documents state that the night of the murder Hogan, also known as "Goose," grabbed a shotgun and approached Spencer and another individual. Hogan pointed the shotgun, made a comment, and fired one shot at Spencer, then fled, documents state.

Hogan's defense attorney, Kia Spears, said Friday that Hogan has been remorseful and apologetic for what he did, and that he saved Spencer's family from a lengthy trial by pleading guilty before being indicted.

But prosecutors argued that Hogan unnecessarily armed himself and shot Spencer, whose death was a tragic loss which had no clear motive.

A press release is below.

United States Attorney’s Office
District of Columbia
U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 10, 2014
Public Affairs
202-252-6933
Website: www.usdoj.gov/usao/dc

Maryland Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
For 2013 Murder in Southwest Washington
-Defendant Fired Shotgun, Hitting Unintended Victim-

WASHINGTON – William Hogan, 28, of Oxon Hill, Md., was sentenced today to a prison term of 15 years for killing a man last year in Southwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Hogan pled guilty in November 2013, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to second-degree murder while armed. He was sentenced by the Honorable Ronna L. Beck. Upon completion of his prison term, Hogan will be placed on five years of supervised release.

According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 17, 2013, at about 10 p.m., Hogan was in a courtyard in the 100 block of Irvington Street SW. He had engaged in an earlier conflict with individuals in the area, and had armed himself with a loaded shotgun. Hogan walked out of the courtyard and approached the victim, Robert Spencer, 21, and another individual who was in the area. Hogan pointed the shotgun, made a comment, and then fired one shot that hit Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer died as a result of numerous gunshot wounds, as the shotgun was loaded with buckshot. Hogan then fled the area and discarded the weapon.

Hogan was arrested Sept. 29, 2013 and interviewed by detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He told police that he shot Mr. Spencer and that he discarded the shotgun after the murder. By all accounts, Mr. Spencer was not the target of the earlier conflict that took place in the area, and by Hogan’s own admission, he was not his intended target.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended those who worked on the case from the MPD. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Worm, who prosecuted the matter.

William Hogan Pleads Guilty in Shooting Death of Robert Spencer

Clara Pak — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 17:23:16 -0400

William Hogan pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the September shooting death of 21-year-old Robert Spencer.

Police found Spencer on Sept. 17 at 10:22 p.m. on the 100 block of Irvington Street Southwest suffering from a gunshot wound. Spencer was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m.

Hogan was arrested 12 days after Spencer died.

According to arrest documents, a person told police that they saw Hogan, also known as "Goose," walking with a shotgun near 134 Irvington Street, SW. The witness told police Hogan saw Spencer, pointed the gun and fired one shot.

An autopsy concluded that Spencer was shot with buckshot ammunition.

In an interview with police, Hogan admitted to shooting Spencer and said that he had "discarded" the shotgun, according to a proffer of evidence.

The maximum sentence for second-degree murder while armed is 40 years, Judge Ronna Beck said she will wait for sentence recommendations from counsel. Hogan is expected for sentencing with Judge Beck Jan. 10, 2014.

Plea documents have been added below.

Hogan, William Plea Documents (PDF)Hogan, William Plea Documents (Text)

William Hogan Held in Shooting Death of Robert Spencer

Afriyie Amankwaa — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 07:45:27 -0400

Judge Karen Howze ruled that there was enough evidence Monday to hold William Hogan, 28, in connection with the September shooting death of Robert Spencer.

On Sep. 17th at 10:22 p.m. police found Spencer lying unconscious next to a wad from a fired shotgun shell and a steel projectile consistent with buckshot ammunition near the sidewalk of 134 Irvington Street, SW, according to court records. Spencer, who was taken to a local hospital due to multiple gunshot wounds to the body, was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m.

The results of his autopsy are pending.

Arrest documents state a witness saw Hogan, also known as “Goose," pace back and forth with a shotgun in a courtyard in front of 134 Irvington Street, SW prior to approaching Spencer. The witness claims to have observed Hogan point the shotgun and fire one shot at Spencer.

Another witness told police that “Goose” approached Spencer and stated something to the effect of, “oh, oh, what’s up? what’s up now?” before firing a single shot.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in the case for October 10th.

Charging documents have been added to the post below.

Hogan, William Charging Papers (PDF)Hogan, William Charging Papers (Text)

Arrest Made in Irvington Street Shooting Death of Robert Spencer

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 12:35:26 -0400

A 28-year-old Maryland man was arrested Sunday in connection with the September 17 shooting death of 21-year-old Robert Spencer.

The suspect, identified by police as William Hogan, is expected to be presented with a charge of second-degree murder while armed, police said.

Police found Spencer September 17 at 10:22 pm on the 100 block of Irvington Street Southwest suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Spencer was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

A press release from MPD is below.

September 30, 2013

Arrest Made in the Homicide in the 100 Block of Irvington Street, SW

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announced an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at approximately 10:22 pm, officers from the Seventh District responded to the 100 block of Irvington Street, Southwest for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located an unconscious adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, pending an autopsy.

The decedent is identified as 21 year-old Robert Spencer of Northeast, Washington, DC.

On Sunday, September 29, 2013, at approximately 5:40 pm, members of the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 28 year-old William Hogan of Oxon Hill, MD, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, charging him with Second Degree Murder while Armed in the shooting death of Robert Spencer.

Robert Spencer, 21, Killed in SW DC Shooting Tuesday Night

Laura Amico — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 12:47:38 -0400

A 21-year-old Northeast DC man was killed in a shooting in Southwest DC Tuesday night.

MPD said the man, identified as Robert Spencer, was found unconscious with a gunshot wound in the 100 Block of Irvington Street at about 10:22 p.m. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

September 18, 2013

Homicide: 100 Block of Irvington Street, SW

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting which occurred in the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at approximately 10:22 pm, officers from the Seventh District responded to the 100 block of Irvington Street, Southwest for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located an unconscious adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, pending an autopsy.

The decedent is identified as 21 year-old Robert Spencer 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.