A District man has admitted to the chilling broad-daylight stabbing of a man he recognized from their college days – an attack that turned fatal. Joseph Melton, 55, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed, as well as to assault with a dangerous weapon in a plea agreement disclosed by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the MPD, as per a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
On the fateful day of January 14, 2020, Melton first approached a man at 9:10 a.m. on Connecticut Ave. NW, and after a cryptic threat, attempted to stab him. The victim narrowly escaped with his life and Melton fled, only to resurface hours later in a more macabre sequel. This time, in the 800 block of Vermont Ave., NW, at approximately 12:33 p.m., Melton's second victim was not as lucky and sustained grave injuries. Despite being critically wounded, the victim heroically identified his assailant before slipping into unconsciousness, as recounted by the U.S. Attorney's Office statement.
Tragically, merely two hours later at 2:33 p.m., the Metropolitan Police were dispatched to yet another scene at Virginia Ave., NW, where they found same earlier victim, this time suffering from multiple stab wounds that would lead to his death. The series of attacks painted a grim tapestry of violence seemingly rooted in a bygone collegiate connection gone awry.
Judge Michael O’Keefe set the sentencing hearing for June 14, 2024, ensuring that a custodial sentence will follow this distillation of brutality. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office release, the case was skillfully investigated by the Homicide Branch of the MPD and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Liebman. As Melton awaits his fate, the city grapples with the reality that old grudges can manifest into overt acts of finality.
