WASHINGTON – Michael Garrett, 70, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on September 11, 2026, to 25 years in prison, in D.C. Superior Court in connection with the December 3, 2021, murder of Sylvia Matthews, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Garrett pleaded guilty on March 19, 2026, before D.C. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz to one count of second-degree murder while armed. Garrett attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, but that request was denied by Judge Kravitz. In addition to the 25-year prison sentence, Judge Kravitz ordered Garrett to serve five years of supervised release. “Ms. Matthews deserved safety, dignity, and peace—rights that Michael Garrett repeatedly stole from her," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Especially given the fact that a prior judge gave Garrett compassionate release from prison on another assault charge against her, which allowed him the opportunity to come out and kill Sylvia. Nothing will bring back Sylvia, but today’s sentence delivers a measure of justice and ensures the defendant will no longer pose a threat to anyone in our community.”

According to court documents, on December 3, 2021, Ms. Matthews contacted 911 after Garrett broke windows in her home and her car window after trying to enter her home. MPD officers responded twice and Garrett was no longer on scene. At approximately 11:20 am, a 911 call was received for Ms. Matthews’ address for a burglary in progress. Officers were dispatched to the scene for a third time. After speaking with a witness who told them Ms. Matthews was being held hostage, MPD officers entered the residence through a rear door. Once inside, officers located Ms. Matthews at the bottom of the basement stairs with severe head trauma. First responding officers located Garrett in the basement, after seeing a blood trail from the victim. He was taken into custody at that time. Ms. Matthews was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Ms. Matthews died from blunt force injuries and ruled her death a homicide. Garrett has a long history of assaultive and threatening behavior toward Ms. Matthews. Garrett was released in March 2021 following a Compassionate Release motion after serving a 20+ year sentence in a case where he assaulted Ms. Matthews and broke into her same home. The government opposed the release citing the defendant’s previous abuse of the victim. Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department.  The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natalie Hynum and Emma McArthur. 2021 CF1 006899