D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Deadly Arson Spree

WASHINGTON – D’Aundrey Scott, 32, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today, for several arsons, which killed one victim, Darryl Finney, caused injuries to another victim, Charles Newton, and damaged the homes of two others in May 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “D’Aundrey Scott’s actions were shocking, deliberate, and devastating,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “He set multiple fires across Northeast Washington, killing Darryl Finney, injuring Charles Newton, and endangering the lives and homes of others in the community. This was a calculated spree of violence that inflicted immeasurable harm. Today’s conviction ensures that Scott will be held fully accountable for the destruction he caused, and our communities are safer as a result.” Scott pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of second-degree murder, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of arson and one count of felony destruction. This was an 11c plea to a range of 15 to 35 years of imprisonment. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelmen scheduled sentencing for October 23, 2026. According to the government’s evidence, on May 13, 2020, Scott went on an arson spree. On May 13, 2020, at approximately 12:23 a.m. The defendant approached the first victim, Charles Newton, who was lying on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of H Street Northeast, Washington, D.C. The defendant ignited a small, flammable object and threw that burning object onto Mr. Newton. Mr. Newton was able to kick it off before his clothing ignited. At approximately 1:04 a.m., Scott approached the second victim, Darryl Finney, who was sleeping on the sidewalk in the 900 block of H Street Northeast, Washington, D.C. The defendant ignited a small, flammable object and tossed it onto Mr. Finney. The defendant then splashed an ignitable liquid onto Mr. Finney. The defendant’s actions caused Mr. Finney and his personal effects to catch fire. Mr. Finney, who was engulfed in flames, managed to get up and walk toward H Street, where the Metropolitan Police Department and D.C. Fire and EMS responded to assist. Mr. Finney suffered burns to multiple parts of his body, and despite treatment at MedStar Washington Hospital Center he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on May 15, 2020. An autopsy was conducted by the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which concluded Mr. Finney’s cause of death to be complications from thermal injury and his manner of death to be homicide. After the defendant set the two men on fire, at approximately 1:25 a.m., the defendant poured an ignitable liquid onto the porch, steps, and walkway of the house at 1403 Morse Street Northeast, Washington, D.C. The defendant then ignited the liquid, scorching the porch and steps and causing discoloration to the concrete. Finally, at approximately 1:28 a.m., Scott ignited a fire on the porch of the house at 1431 Morse Street Northeast, Washington, D.C., damaging the exterior of the house and porch furniture belonging to the homeowner. Scott was arrested on May 19, 2020, and has been in custody since. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Merikas and was initially investigated by Assistant United States Attorney Ariel Dean. 2020 CF1 004775