Washington, D.C. – A 22-year-old District of Columbia man, Donnell Harris, was sentenced this morning to a term of 33 years in prison for the June 29, 2007, murder of Michael Richardson, announced U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor.

Harris received his sentence before the Honorable Harold L. Cushenberry, Jr. in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia after a jury found him guilty in July 2008 of second degree murder while armed and related weapons offenses.

The incredibly brazen murder occurred at about 2:30 a.m. in Joe’s Steak and Egg restaurant, in front of approximately 20 terrified diners. The murder was particularly callous because the defendant and victim apparently struggled just before the killing and the defendant was facing into the crowded restaurant when he fired. The 20 patrons in the restaurant were in the general line of fire. At the time of his murder, the victim was an intern with the Public Defender Service.

According to trial testimony, shortly after local clubs closed at 2:00 a.m. on June 29, 2007, Mr. Richardson was driving down U Street when he encountered a friend. Mr. Richardson, the friend and a female companion of the friend then decided to grab a bite to eat at Joe’s Steak and Egg restaurant. The Steak and Egg was a 24-hour breakfast diner located in the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW (the restaurant permanently closed the night of the murder). Mr. Richardson and his two companions went to the restaurant, which was packed with late-night diners, and sat down at the counter to order some food.

Unbeknownst to Mr. Richardson and his companions, the defendant, who was a regular in the restaurant, had come in the restaurant a few minutes earlier with two friends and ordered some food. The defendant and his friends then stepped outside. Also unbeknownst to Mr. Richardson and his companions, the defendant and his friends had been eyeing Mr. Richardson and his friends for years. Mr. Richardson and his friends knew each other through Howard University, where they had been students. Howard is adjacent to the LeDroit Park neighborhood, where the defendant spent a great deal of time. The defendant and his friends thought that Mr. Richardson and his friends had money, and had been trying to organize a robbery of them for quite some time. When Mr. Richardson and his friends came into the Steak and Egg, the defendant and his friends were presented with their chance.

After unsuccessfully trying to obtain money from Mr. Richardson’s friend, who then fled, they asked Mr. Richardson to step outside, and a scuffle between the defendant and Mr. Richardson ensued. Mr. Richardson and the defendant were the only people in the area of the scuffle. Seconds later, two shots rang out. Everyone fled the restaurant, including Mr. Richardson. Mr. Richardson made it to the street, where he tragically died. The defendant was arrested five weeks later after an exhaustive police investigation.

Several concerned citizens came forward to identify the defendant as the shooter, or give a precise description that matched the defendant. U.S. Attorney Taylor gave singular praise to these citizens and holds them up as examples of the type of community involvement that is necessary to keep our city safe.

The sentencing was particularly emotional. Michael Richardson had applied to law school and during today’s hearing his family presented a portion of his law school essay, in which he described the challenges he overcame to succeed in school. A family member spoke movingly about the enduring sadness and loss suffered by Mr. Richardson’s family, and their continuing pain over his death.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Taylor praised lead MPD Detective Bryan Waid and assisting Detectives Daniel Whalen and Milton Norris. Their detailed investigation and quick efforts locating witnesses were essential to achieving this result. U.S. Attorney Taylor praised Evidence Technician Ridley Durham, who gathered critical evidence on the scene. U.S. Attorney Taylor praised Legal Assistant Debra Joyner and Paralegal Marian Russell, who provided critical support efforts. U.S. Attorney Taylor praised Litigation Support Specialists Timothy Linder and Thomas Royal, who provided essential support preparing trial exhibits. U.S. Attorney Taylor praised former Assistant U.S. Attorney Magdelena Boynton, who initiated the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alessio Evangelista, who assisted the investigation and helped locate a critical witness. Finally, U.S. Attorney Taylor praised Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Snyder, who completed the investigation and tried it with Sharad Khandelwal.