An Adams Morgan man was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison Friday for fatally stabbing his brother during a fight in February, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District said.
Deon Thornton, 21, had pleaded guilty in February to voluntary manslaughter while armed. He will also be placed on five years of supervised release when he completes his prison term.
Authorities say Thornton lived with his 22-year-old brother, Derrick Thornton, in an apartment building in the 2200 block of Champlain Street NW. The brothers had been drinking the night of Feb. 11 and began arguing inside their apartment.
At the plea hearing, Deon Thornton admitted that after the argument he went to the lobby of the apartment building with a knife and started a physical altercation with his brother. During the altercation, he stabbed his unarmed brother repeatedly in the chest.
Shortly thereafter, Deon Thornton fled the scene. Derrick Thornton was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
• Matthew Cella can be reached at mcella@washingtontimes.com.
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