Wilmington murder suspect takes plea deal in 2016 shooting death

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - With jury selection set to begin Monday, a Wilmington murder suspect decided to take a plea deal before his trial started.

Zibree Brawley Washington, 21, was sentenced to 6 to 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Washington had been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Johnny Lee Johnson on Sept. 20, 2016.

District Attorney Ben David says Johnson was being dropped off at his father’s home on N. 13th Street. The woman who gave him the ride told investigators that Johnson knew Washington and had seen the man ride up on a bike prior to her leaving that evening. When she left, Johnson was speaking with Washington near the home.

Johnson was found dead from a gunshot wound on the front porch of the home.

Washington attended school the day after the murder and told at least one of his classmates that he had messed up and needed to leave town.

Washington, who was 18 years old at the time of the killing, was taken into custody in Philadelphia on Oct. 4, 2016, and extradited to New Hanover County in December of that year.

He has been held at the county jail without bond since.

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