Judge Sentences Man to 15 Years In 1996 Slaying of Ex-Girlfriend

A Southeast Washington man was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday for his role in the slaying of a former girlfriend 12 years ago as part of a controversial plea agreement with the U.S. attorney's office.

In November, Michael E. Dickerson, 39, a former drug dealer, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in connection with the 1996 shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, Shaquita Bell, 23. In return, prosecutors did not charge Dickerson with the shooting death of Sean Thomas that same year.

Prosecutors said they agreed to the deal because of the difficulty in investigating and trying the case so many years later. D.C. Superior Court Judge Neal E. Kravitz explained why Dickerson received what many of his victims' relatives in the courtroom consider a light sentence.

Kravitz said he could not legally throw out the plea agreement without the case then going to trial. It was a gamble that Kravitz said he was not willing to make.

"A 15-year sentence was a compromise given the difficulty of prosecuting this case," Kravitz said.

Dickerson also promised to help lead detectives to Bell's body. He took them to a wooded spot in rural Prince George's County where he said he had buried her. Her remains have not been found. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Haines said police will resume the search in the spring when the weather clears.

Bell's mother, Jackie Winborne, said that although she agreed to the sentence in hopes of finding her daughter's body, the prison term was too short. "There's no such thing as closure," she said. "I felt like the prosecutor was working against us. I'm really hurt."

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier spearheaded efforts to reopen the cold case in summer 2007.

Before Dickerson's plea, Haines said her office "never thought we would have so much luck or a miracle to close this case." The sentencing, she said, "won't be able to undo what happened in the past but it can help begin the healing."

With his arms shackled, Dickerson apologized to the families. Watching was his 13-year-old daughter, Alexis, whom he had with Bell and who wept in her grandmother's arms as Dickerson spoke. "If I could just take back time, I would, but it's something I can't do," he said. "The only thing I can change is myself and try to be a better man."

Relatives of Thomas were angered that Dickerson was not charged with killing Thomas. "I don't feel it's enough time," said Jeannette Hinnant, Thomas's sister. "They dismissed one murder and gave him 15 years for another."

Before his plea, Dickerson, who has been imprisoned since 1996 for assault and a weapons offense, was scheduled to be released next month.

Staff writer Janie Boschma contributed to this report.