District Man Sentenced to 20-Year Prison Term for Killing Man in Southeast

WASHINGTON - Kenneth Coleman, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for the murder of 24-year-old Jireh Martinez in November 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Coleman pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed on July 13, 2026, before D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson. In addition to the 20-year prison sentence, Judge Dayson ordered Coleman to serve five years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on November 17, 2023, Coleman attempted to rob Mr. Martinez as Mr. Martinez returned home from a convenience store. Coleman pressed a gun into Mr. Martinez's head and repeatedly demanded "give it to me." Mr. Martinez dropped the store bag he was holding but otherwise just stood in place. After the eighth "give it to me," Coleman pulled the trigger. Mr. Martinez crumpled to the ground, and Coleman walked away. When law enforcement reached Mr. Martinez, his only possession was a single dime.

Coleman was arrested on separate charges on February 9, 2024, and has been in custody ever since.

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Keefer and William Lawrence, who prosecuted the case.

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