WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than seven years after the brutal murder of 52-year-old Maria Evans, justice has finally been served. Antonio Jackson, 38, of Southeast D.C., has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder while armed, following a savage knife attack that left Evans dead in a D.C. alley.
The Attack
The violent incident occurred early on the morning of March 29, 2018, around 6:30 a.m., in the rear alleyway of 530 Oakwood Street SE. Surveillance video showed Jackson walking into the alley with Evans, following closely behind her. Without warning, he pulled out a long-blade knife and began his assault.
According to the Department of Justice, Evans was stabbed 23 times in a gruesome attack that targeted nearly every part of her body—face, neck, chest, stomach, side, back, shoulder, and hand.
After the stabbing, Jackson was seen on camera walking away and disposing of the knife in a nearby trashcan, leaving Evans bleeding and alone.
Investigation and Arrest
DC Police responded to the scene around 8 a.m., where they found Evans unconscious and unresponsive. She was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, but despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
After weeks of investigation, police arrested Jackson on May 4, 2018. When questioned and shown the surveillance footage, he admitted to being the man in the video, but denied committing the murder.
Years later, in November 2023, Jackson changed his plea and accepted responsibility by pleading guilty to second-degree murder while armed.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Jackson was officially sentenced to 18 years in prison, a term that reflects the brutality and senselessness of the attack. As of now, no clear motive has been disclosed by authorities for why Jackson killed Maria Evans.
The case leaves behind unanswered questions and a deep sense of loss for Evans’ loved ones and community members, who have waited years for justice.
Though delayed, the sentencing marks a significant moment of accountability in one of Southeast D.C.’s most horrific crimes in recent memory.
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