A Gary man was sentenced to 45 years Thursday in a plea deal for killing his former girlfriend.
Warren Curtis, 30, signed a plea agreement with an agreed 45-year term in January for murder.
Gary Police responded July 29, 2022, to the 1300 block of Roosevelt Street. They found Raven Washington, 31, unresponsive in her Nissan’s driver’s seat.
Court documents state a witness told investigators Curtis said Washington “started to become a problem” and he “had to take matters into his own hands,” because he “loved” another woman.
He “lured” Washington, then shot and left her in the front seat.
Washington’s son Thomas Smith said via a Zoom link in court he wanted to know why. Curtis did not address his question when he later spoke.
“My mom was the GOAT,” who “couldn’t be tamed,” Smith said. “Do your time, become a better person now, bro.”
“I definitely can’t forgive you for what you’ve done,” he said. “I don’t hate you.”
Deputy Prosecutor Infinity Westberg said the process to cut a plea deal was a “long fight.”
Defense lawyer Nick Barnes agreed, saying it took several years.
“I do believe this is in his best interest,” he said.
Curtis spoke briefly, apologizing for his actions.
Judge Samuel Cappas told him a 45-year prison term may have been a “hard pill to swallow,” but he faced much more prison time if he lost at trial.
It was a “smart decision on your part,” he said.
mcolias@post-trib.com
