WASHINGTON - A 27-year-old District of Columbia man, Christopher Wiseman, was sentenced today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by the Honorable Frederick H. Weisberg to 20 years in prison for the July 12, 2006 murder of Michael Dorsey, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor announced. The defendant pled guilty to Second Degree Murder while Armed on September 19, 2008.

According to the government's evidence, on July 11, 2006, the defendant and an accomplice who was never apprehended stated that they were planning to rob "Black." "Black" was the nickname of Michael Dorsey, the victim. The victim had recently begun dealing drugs in the area of Ivy City, an area where the defendant lived, and dealt drugs. The victim had been warned by associates of the defendant to cease selling drugs in the area, but he ignored those warnings.

In the early morning hours of July 12, 2006, the victim was in the vicinity of 1929 Gallaudet Street, NE, near Providence Street, in the District of Columbia. The defendant and his accomplice donned masks and approached the victim, while he was in conversation with others.

The defendant demanded that the victim "give it up," while the accomplice attacked a bystander. The victim repeatedly stated that he didn't have anything. The victim ran into 1929 Gallaudet Street, NE, with the defendant and his accomplice in pursuit.

The defendant and his accomplice together trapped the victim in the vestibule. They demanded money or drugs and the victim did not comply. They fought with the victim, and after a few minutes, the defendant stuck a semi-automatic handgun in the victim's belly and fired.

The bullet entered into the victim's body and damaged several major organs, including an artery. The bullet did so much damage that despite all life saving efforts, the victim died as a result of the defendant's gunshot later that morning. A .9mm bullet was recovered from the victim's body. The police found two .9mm shell casings on the floor near the victim. Although no fingerprints were found on the shells, firearms analysis confirmed that the cartridge casings were both fired by the same gun.

After the shooting, the defendant stated that they shouldn't have done it, because "Black" didn't have anything on him. The defendant also said he was nervous because he was afraid someone would tell on him.

The next day, the defendant began his efforts at damage control. He confronted witnesses and told them not to testify. He told one witness that he would kill his family if he talked. He showed a .45 caliber handgun to another witness, and told him/her that he/she would feel that gun if he/she did not "lay low." In the weeks following the murder, he came up to another witness, and, using sweet talk and PCP, seduced her. They began sleeping together, until she confronted him about the murder. His response jolted her from the tryst: "Anyone who gets more fame or money than me, I kill them."

The defendant was arrested on September 28, 2006, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine (a charge on which he was later convicted). The next day, on September 29, 2006, a search warrant was executed on the defendant's house. They found the defendant's mail matter in his room. Most importantly, they found 49 rounds of .9mm ammo, in addition to a gun cleaning kit, a BB Gun and additional ammo.

In sentencing the defendant, the Court noted the defendant's extensive criminal record, stating that the defendant had opportunities to avoid a life of crime, "but did not take advantage of them, despite going to an excellent school."

In announcing today's conviction, U.S. Attorney Taylor praised the work of Detectives Edward Truesdale, Robert Arrington, and Dwayne Partman, and Police Officers R. S. Griffin, Charles Marshall, and Kenneth White, all of whom are with the Metropolitan Police Department. He also thanked Paralegal Ethel Gregory, Legal Assistant Mary Doster, and Victim Witness Advocates Debra Cannon and Yvonne Bryant, all of the U.S. Attorney's Office. Lastly, U.S. Attorney Taylor commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Ramer, who prosecuted the case, and Laura Bach, who took a significant role in the investigation.