Attacker Pleads Guilty To Fatally Beating 87-Year-Old PG County Man

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A Fort Washington man pleaded guilty this week to beating an 87-year-old to death after the victim door-dinged the man's girlfriend's car, according to a report citing the Prince George's County state's attorney.

Julias Wright, 27, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in connection with the death of Johnny Lee Shepherd of Beltsville, WTOP reported.

On June 22, 2022, the Prince George's County Police Department was notified of an assault that happened in a residential parking lot in the 11300 block of Cherry Hill Road. The brutal beating was captured on surveillance video.

In the video, Wright could be seen repeatedly hitting and stomping on Shepherd, who suffered critical injuries. He was taken to the hospital and died nearly a month after the attack.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Shepherd died of blunt force head injuries and ruled his death a homicide. A police investigation revealed the assault stemmed from a dispute over damage to Wright's girlfriend's car, according to police and reports.

Wright’s girlfriend — 44-year-old Christina Felder of Beltsville — said Shepherd pushed her first before she punched him and called her boyfriend for help, according to WTOP.

Felder was also arrested and charged in the case, WTOP previously reported.

Wright was arrested shortly after the assault and initially charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. Charges were upgraded to murder following Shepherd's death.

Wright faces up to 18 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for June 28.