SAO PRESS RELEASE: Washington, D.C. Man Sentenced to 30 Years, Suspend All But 20, After Mistrial and Guilty Plea of Second Degree Murder

OFFICE OF THE STATE’S ATTORNEY FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
AISHA N. BRAVEBOY 

PRESS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release:

February 27, 2019

For more information, contact:
Denise Roberts
Communications Director
Office of the State’s Attorney, Prince George’s County
dgroberts@co.pg.md.us
240-832-4970 cell or 301-952-2848 office
@PGSAONEWS

Washington, D.C. Man Sentenced to 30 Years, Suspend All But 20, After Mistrial and Guilty Plea of Second Degree Murder

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy announced that a Washington, D.C. man will spend 20 years in jail for killing a man who was dating the mother of two of his children. 

Divonta Gatling, 26, was sentenced by Judge Karen Mason to 30 years in jail with all but 20 years suspended for the second degree murder of 28-year-old Desean Chapman.

In 2017, Gatling’s initial trial was declared a mistrial because of a hung jury.  Gatling’s second trial was scheduled to begin yesterday but instead he plead guilty to second degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony.

On the morning of July 27, 2016, Gatling shot and killed Chapman outside of the Forestville apartment of the mother of Gatling’s two children, and then fled the scene.  Authorities were able to track Gatling to a motel in Salisbury.  After obtaining a search warrant for the motel, Gatling was arrested and the gun he used to kill Chapman was also recovered.

Mr. Chapman was the father of two young children.

“I am very pleased with the Judge’s decision to put Mr. Gatling in prison for a very long time,” Because of Mr. Gatling’s actions, two young children have to grow up without the guidance and support of their father,” State’s Attorney Braveboy said.  “I pray that this sentence brings healing and closure to Mr. Chapman’s family and his loved ones.”  

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