Davon Thomas | Homicide Watch DC

Davon Thomas Sentenced to Four Years for Voluntary Manslaughter

Kristian Hernandez — Wed, 28 May 2014 16:32:31 -0400

Davon Thomas was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison for voluntary manslaughter in connection with the January 2013 death of 53-year-old Emanuel Campbell, despite prosecutors' request for an eight year sentence.

Thomas pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter last Sept. after being indicted for second-degree murder.

"Mr. Thomas started in this event as a victim of a serious crime," said Judge Russell Canan during Wednesday's sentencing, "but he took the law into his own hands."

According to charging documents, Campbell and Thomas got into an argument about vistors in their shared apartment brought over by Thomas. Documents say that Campbell was intoxicated that night and cut Thomas behind his ear during the argument. After being disarmed by another witness, Campbell left the residence, followed by Thomas, who proceed to assault him outside.

Judge Canan said Campbell could have faced charges such as assault with intent to kill if Thomas had walked away and called police after being cut by Campbell.

"Clearly his temper got the best of him," said Defense Attorney Hickein Craig during Wednesday's sentencing, "He had every opportunity to walk away and he chose not to."

Campbell died in the hospital two weeks after the assault from multiple blunt force injuries. According to prosecutors, Campbell spent more than 20 years in prison and suffered from a variety of physical ailments and battled substance abuse.

"Mr. Thomas was aware of Mr. Campbell's preexisting frailties; but nevertheless he kicked and beat Mr. Campbell, causing multiple fractured ribs, head contusion and internal hemorrhaging," stated Assistant U.S. Attorney George Pace.

Both men shared the residence with Kathy Green, a long-time friend of Thomas' family, who said Wednesday that she helped care for Thomas since he was seven months old.

Green also told Homicide Watch that Campbell is not Thomas' grandfather, contrary to previous reports. Green said Campbell was her ex-boyfriend, and that they let Campbell into their home because he did not have a place to live.

"I know my grandson and he loved people," said Green who referred to herself as Thomas' "embraced grandmother."

"He respected [Campbell] and he loved him," she said.

After Judge Canan read his sentence, Thomas turned and smiled to friends and family sitting in the courtroom. Some raised their hands saying, "Thank the Lord," and "We love you, Davon."

Thomas was also sentenced to 18 months in prison by Judge Rhonda Winston in an unrelated case involving an assault on another inmate inside the jail earlier this year.

Sentencing documents for this case are posted below:

Davon Thomas Sentencing Docs (PDF)Davon Thomas Sentencing Docs (Text)

Davon Thomas Pleads Guilty in Death of Emanuel Campbell

Clara Pak — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 16:36:57 -0400

Davon Thomas, 24, pleaded guilty Friday in connection with the January death of 53-year-old Emanuel Campbell, who died after being pushed to the ground and striking his head.

Thomas pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the case and faces a potential sentence of four to ten years in prison. By accepting the plea, Thomas avoids a trial on a charge of second-degree murder.

According to court records that are part of the plea agreement, a witness told police that Thomas and Campbell were arguing about having guests at their shared Northeast DC apartment when Campbell took out a pocket knife and cut Thomas behind the ear. Campbell left the apartment and Thomas followed, the witness said. Thomas said he punched Campbell twice, causing him to fall.

After being admitted to the hospital in critical condition, Campbell died on Jan. 31. An autopsy revealed the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, court documents state.

Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 13.

Plea documents have been added below.

Thomas, Davon Plea Documents (PDF)Thomas, Davon Plea Documents (Text)

Davon Thomas Indicted in Murder of Emanuel Campbell

Ivan Natividad — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 16:28:51 -0400

Davon Thomas was arraigned Friday on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of his 53-year-old grandfather, Emanuel Campbell. Thomas pleaded innocent to the charge; a trial is scheduled for April 2014.

Police found Campbell around noon January 17 in the 2000 block of Maryland Avenue Northeast suffering from head trauma. He was transported to a local hospital and admitted in critical condition.

Court documents state medical staff told police Campbell was intoxicated, disoriented and had swollen eyes and abrasions on his face. A CAT scan was performed on Campbell and discovered bleeding in his brain. Campbell was placed on life support, and on January 31, died from his injuries.

An autopsy concluded the cause of death was multiple blunt injuries.

Thomas, 23, was arrested on February 5 and held on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection with Campbell's death.

Charging documents state that two witnesses said Thomas had argued with Campbell, his grandfather, over visitors Thomas brought to the family's apartment. The argument continued when Thomas approached Campbell as he was preparing dinner. A witness told police that Campbell then stabbed Thomas behind his ear, and left the apartment. Thomas followed Campbell, and when the witness went outside, Campbell was laying on the ground bleeding from his head.

The witness told police that Thomas said, “I hit that mother f—; he’s outside on the ground.”

Thomas told police he was trying to escort Campbell inside the home when Campbell stabbed him, so he punched him.

Prosecutors have offered Thomas a plea offer of voluntary manslaughter.

The case is scheduled for a status hearing September 27.

The indictment is below.

Davon Thomas Appears in Court on Suspicion of Killing Grandfather

Sam Pearson — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:15:45 -0500

Police say a grandfather's attempt to confront his grandson Jan. 17 over visitors he brought to the family's apartment resulted in the grandfather's death.

Officers arrested 23-year-old Davon Thomas Tuesday, five days after his grandfather, Emanuel Campbell, died. Campbell had spent nearly two weeks there in critical condition.

Thomas, 23, appeared in court Wednesday, where he was ordered held on suspicion of second-degree murder.

According to charing documents in the case, two witnesses told police that on Jan. 17 Thomas was arguing with 53-year-old Campbell in the apartment Thomas shared with his grandparents at the 2000 block of Maryland Avenue Northeast. Later, when Campbell was preparing dinner, Thomas entered the room and resumed the argument. Campbell stabbed Thomas behind his ear, a witness told police according to the charging documents.

The witness said Campbell then left the apartment. When the witness went outside, Campbell was laying on the ground, bleeding from his head.

"I hit that mother f–," the witness said Thomas said, "he's outside on the ground."

Thomas told investigators he was trying to escort Campbell inside the home when Campbell stabbed him. He then punched Campbell, according to court documents.

Charging documents describe Thomas' wound as a "superficial cut."

Police arrived at 11:45 p.m. that night, responding to reports of a stabbing.

Hospital staff found Campbell was intoxicated, had swollen eyes and an abrasion on his face. A CAT scan performed on Campbell discovered bleeding in his brain. Hospital staff placed Campbell on life support as his condition worsened, according to charging documents.

He died Jan. 31, police say.

Charging documents are below:

Davon Thomas Charging Documents (PDF)Davon Thomas Charging Documents (Text)

A press release from MPD has been added to this post below.

February 6, 2013
Arrest in the Homicide: 2000 Block of Maryland Avenue, NE
(Washington, DC) — Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announced today a suspect has been arrested in connection with a homicide that occurred in the 2000 block of Maryland Avenue, Northeast.

On Thursday, Jan 17, 2013, at approximately 11:45 pm, units from the Fifth District responded to 2008 Maryland Ave., NE to investigate a report of an unconscious male. Upon arrival, they located the decedent who was suffering from apparent trauma to his head. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the decedent to an area hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.

On Thursday, January 31, 2013, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. On Friday, February 1, 2013, an autopsy was conducted on the remains of the decedent at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt injuries. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The decedent is identified as 53-year-old Emanuel Campbell of Northeast, DC.

On Tuesday, February 5, 2013, 23 year-old Davon Thomas was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force pursuant to an arrest warrant charging him with Murder Two for the homicide of Emanuel Campbell.