Judge Continues Hearing to Reassess Defendant’s Release

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 4, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing to reassess a defendant’s pretrial release after discovering that she is being held on other charges.

Jacqueline Kelly was brought to court on Aug. 3 in reference to one case in which she is charged with simple assault. Kelly allegedly initiated a fight with another woman on June 18 on 35th Street, SE. She was not present for the hearing. 

Kelly, 56, is currently being held in DC Jail after being brought to court in her most recent case. She was charged in that case on July 20 with unlawful entry onto private property,  assault on a police officer, destruction of property worth less than $1,000 and threats to do bodily harm. 

Those proceedings had been scheduled to determine if Kelly had come into compliance with her pretrial release conditions, which include a  stay away order and mental health treatment. Kelly has struggled to comply with those conditions in the past, and was compelled by Judge Gerald Fisher to come into compliance on July 13.

Claudine Harrison, Kelly’s attorney, asked Judge Fisher to release her client. However, Judge Fisher could not issue such an order, since Kelly is currently being held on new charges. Instead, he issued a nominal bond so she can get credit for time served.

In addition to her other two cases, Kelly is also charged with simple assault, destruction of property worth less than $1,000, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. The cases stretch as far back as June 6. 

Kelly is scheduled to appear again in court on Aug. 25.