PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — A former DC high school football star accused of murdering his girlfriend has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice, Denise Smith, a spokesperson for the Prince George's County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, confirmed.
Jamal Speaks pleaded guilty Monday and will be sentenced in Prince George's County court on Apr. 3, 2020, Smith said.
Back in April 2019, Prince George's County police arrested Speaks after he was suspected of shooting and killing his 18-year-old girlfriend, Saniyah Floyd, of Capitol Heights, inside a Fort Washington home.
Police said they responded to the home on April 7 at about 10:30 p.m. in the 13000 block of Buchanan Drive. Upon arrival, officers said they found Floyd suffering from a single gunshot wound.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
"Initially, responding officers and detectives were advised by witnesses that the victim accidentally shot herself,” police said in a previous press release. "An autopsy revealed that her wound could not have been self-inflicted, and the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide."
Police said their investigation showed Speaks illegally purchased the gun and had been “playing” with it throughout the day. They said that night, he had fired it one time, hitting Floyd.
“Speaks then placed the gun in the victim’s hand to make it appear as if she had shot herself,” police said. “He has admitted his involvement in this incident.”
Detectives presented the evidence to a Prince George’s County court commissioner and Speaks was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, assault, and weapons charges. He was previously in custody with the Department of Corrections without bond.
“There's been no evidence discovered at this time that Speaks intended to kill her,” Christina Cotterman, a Prince George’s County police spokeswoman said.
In 2018, Speaks made national headlines - including WUSA9 - when he was denied a chance to play football in front of college recruiters over “lingering residency concerns.” Speaks said he was homeless at the time.
He and his godmother appealed to the State Athletic Association and after his paperwork checked out, he was cleared to play.