Jury Finds D.C. Man Guilty of the 2016 Murder of His Daughter’s Boyfriend

WASHINGTON – Wilbert Whitaker, 77, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, on charges stemming from the murder of 30-year-old Leo Hackett, his daughter’s boyfriend on April 30, 2016, in Northeast, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Whitaker was found guilty of second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on November 4, 2026. The second-degree murder while armed offense carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison when committed with a firearm. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman scheduled sentencing for January 8, 2027.

According to the government’s evidence, on April 30, 2016, in the 800 block of 21st Street Northeast, Fifth District Officers responded to a 911 call for a family disturbance at 811 21st Street Northeast. There they found that Whitaker and the victim, Leo Hackett, had been in an argument. Officers observed no injuries and heard no reports of an assault, so they left the scene without making any arrests. 

A short time later, the defendant retrieved a .38 special revolver from his bedroom and loaded it. Mr. Hackett left the house to go to work. The defendant followed him out of the house. As the victim was walking away, the defendant called out to him. As Mr. Hackett turned, the defendant fired two shots with his revolver, striking the victim once in the left side of his chest and killing him. 

Whitaker was arrested on April 30, 2016, on the scene of the offense and was released on May 16, 2016, following his preliminary hearing.

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 Attorneys Kathleen Gibbons and Michael Roberts.

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