Stepson Given Maximum Sentence for Gunning Down DC Detective

»News Alerts: Subscribe to a free email newsletter: BOWIE or “like” us on Facebook.

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — The Upper Marlboro man and former Washington, DC, firefighter convicted of gunning down his stepfather — a DC police detective — in an argument over yard work, was sentenced to prison Thursday.

Antwan Rayvon James, 30, was given the maximum punishment of 10 years in prison, WTOP reports.

James was initially charged with first-degree murder, which carried a possible life sentence if found guilty. A jury convicted James in September of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office said.

James, of the 6700 block of Green Moss Drive, shot Joseph Burrough Newell outside their Upper Marlboro home on April 22, 2013.

Prince George’s County Police say James, then 27, shot his stepfather over a dispute about yard work. Joseph Burrough Newell, an officer in Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, was shot 19 times in the dispute, authorities said.

After Newell collapsed, James fired four more shots at him, according to testimony from the victim’s wife, and James’ mother, Bernadette Newell.

“It’s as simple and as tragic as that,” said Kevin Davis, then an assistant police chief, the day of the shooting.

The shooting was captured on video by a nearby home’s security camera. Newell was shown working on a light fixture outside his home when James walked up to him and shot him multiple times, police said.

James’ attorney argued at trial that he did not know what he was doing because James was depressed and intoxicated, WTOP reports.

James was acquitted of the more serious charges of first- and second-degree murder.

After the shooting, James fled on foot with the weapon in hand. The gun used was not Newell’s police service weapon, according to police.

»Patch file photo of Antwan James, courtesy of Prince George’s County Police