Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Murder in Northwest Washington

Washington, D.C. – In a shocking turn of events, 43-year-old Marcha Johnson was sentenced to a 15-year prison term for killing a man last fall in Northwest Washington.

Johnson, who pleaded guilty in January 2022, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter while armed. He was sentenced by the Honorable Robert Okun.

According to court documents, the crime took place in the early evening hours of October 6, 2021, in the Unit block of O Street NW. Johnson was in front of a seniors’ apartment building when the victim, Rufus Davis III, 20, rode up on a scooter and started speaking with Johnson and others.

Johnson and the victim continued to speak for several minutes until they came close to each other near Johnson’s car. Johnson then pulled a gun and fired one shot, followed by two more shots at the victim’s back as he tried to move away. The final two bullets were fired into the victim’s head from just inches above.

Johnson was arrested on October 13, 2021, and has been in custody ever since.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Robert J. Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Meridith McGarrity and Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Giovannelli and Jeffrey Wojcik, who prosecuted the case.

Following his prison term, Johnson will be placed on five years of supervised release.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Papich Violent Crime: Federal Court Case in Focus

Dec 1, 1978

Violent Crime

Malik Bilal, Murder, District of Columbia 2014

Jan 27, 2017

Violent Crime

Martinez-Olivares' Web of Deceit Unravels in Federal Court

Jul 1, 2003

Violent Crime

Ortiz-Melendez, Violent Robbery, Texas 2023

Jul 1, 2019