[Archived] Defendants Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2017

 On March 16, 2017, in the Alexandria Circuit Court, DiJuan Marquie Clark, 31 years old, of Alexandria, Virginia, pleaded guilty to the charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of Murder, in connection with the shooting death of Saquan E. Hall, a 23-year old City resident who was murdered in the area of First Street and North Patrick Street on July 2, 2016.  Clark will be sentenced on June 15, 2017.

Murder in the Second Degree carries of a penalty of between 5 and 40 years in the penitentiary. Use of a Firearm in the Commission of Murder carries a penalty of 3 years in the penitentiary. Therefore, the total potential sentence in this case is 43 years to serve.

The investigation showed that, at approximately 3:30 a.m. on the date in question, the victim went to the area of First Street and North Patrick Street to meet somebody. The investigation showed that Clark fired multiple shots at the victim as he ran away, striking him once in the back. Clark then shot the victim in the head as the victim lay on the ground. The investigation established that Clark’s motive for the murder was his belief that Mr. Hall was responsible for the shooting death of Clark’s brother, Pierre Clark. 

Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter said: "I commend the outstanding police work that brought this case, involving a brazen murder, to a successful conclusion. When confronted with the overwhelming case presented by the Alexandria Police Department, the defendant chose to accept responsibility and plead guilty to murder. I would like to publicly commend by name Detective Bikeramjit Gill for his professional and dedicated service in this case."

"The motive for this murder was apparently the oldest motive known to man - revenge. However, we are a nation of laws, and the main objective of our system of government is to bring safety and order to a community by requiring that persons aggrieved by private injury to submit their disputes to a neutral tribunal for arbitration. Citizens cannot be allowed to resort to self-help and violence to redress perceived injuries. To do so subverts the order of society and the safety of the citizenry. Persons who resort to violence to settle scores will be held accountable for their actions."

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Angela Dougherty and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Sean Sherlock prosecuted the matter. The defendant is incarcerated in the Arlington County Adult Detention Center awaiting sentencing.