Washington, D.C. – A 46-year-old District of Columbia man, William Welch, was sentenced today to 13 years in prison by Superior Court Judge Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. in connection with the January 11, 2008, stabbing death of John King, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor announced. Welch pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter on June 9, 2008. Welch had been convicted in 1980 for second degree murder.

During the June 2008 plea proceeding, Welch admitted that at about 11:30 p.m. on January 11, 2008, he and King were drinking heavily outside a gas station located at the intersection of Benning Road, SE, and East Capitol Street. The men had an argument. In the course of the argument King began berating Welch. Welch became frustrated and angry, pulled out a knife and stabbed King two times: once in the abdomen and once on the left arm. Welch later admitted that he “just couldn’t take it anymore.” King did not brandish a weapon and did not pose an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. King staggered off after being stabbed, and died sometime late in the day on January 12, 2008.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Taylor praised lead MPD Detective Brett Smith, whose diligent efforts resulted in securing the cooperation of key witnesses. U.S. Attorney Taylor also praised Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Snyder, who investigated this matter and negotiated the plea.