WASHINGTON — Two women charged in connection with the death of a young D.C. attorney at a Thomas Circle hotel have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the crime.
Jamyra Gallmon, 21, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for stabbing 30-year-old David Messerschmitt to death inside a Donovan Hotel room in February. She pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and her sentence was capped as part of a deal with prosecutors. Without the cap, she could have faced 40 years behind bars.
Dominique Johnson, 19, was sentenced to 12 months in prison with six months suspended. She pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery.
The courtroom was packed for the hearing Friday in D.C. Superior Court.
Gallmon’s defense attorneys argued for an 18-year sentence citing her lack of a criminal history. But Judge Michael Ryan noted the seriousness of the crime and leaned more towards the prosecution’s preferred 25 years.
Investigators say that Gallmon tricked Messerschmitt into meeting her at the hotel, portraying herself as a man through a Craigslist ad. She had intended to rob Messerschmitt, but police say she stabbed him seven times including through the heart and liver.
One of the stab wounds was 5 inches deep, breaking a bone in the spinal column and piercing a lung. His hands were bound together with zip ties and there was blood on the walls and floor in the hotel room where the two met.
Johnson helped with the robbery by helping to purchase the zip ties at a store near the hotel. Police say she also used Messerschmitt’s stolen Metro card. Her defense team sought probation for her role.
WTOP’s Dennis Foley contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Jamyra Gallmon’s sentence.
