4 Defendants Held During Initial Hearings Thursday

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 30, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

Judge Juliet McKenna presided over 29 presentment hearings on Oct. 29, and she held four defendants in DC Jail. 

Hugh Rorie, 37, was held for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. 

On Oct. 28, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executed a search warrant of Rorie’s residence and found him in bed near a firearm hidden in the wall. Officers also recovered ammunition and other firearm accessories in the room. 

Although Rorie’s three family members were allegedly involved in the crimes, they were all released, and Judge McKenna chose to hold Rorie due to his lengthy criminal record, which includes multiple firearm convictions.

Matthias Onley, 19, is charged with robbery after he allegedly robbed a 7-Eleven, taking cash and tobacco products, on the 300 block of Hawaii Avenue, NE. Onley attempted to flee in a complaining witness’ vehicle, but officers were able to stop him since he had difficulty operating the vehicle. 

Judge McKenna granted the prosecution’s request to hold the defendant since he is on probation for a similar offense that occurred in 2017. 

A domestic violence defendant was held on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly attacked the victim in broad daylight with scissors. 

The defendant, 26, is currently on pretrial release for other charges and is also on supervision in a 2012 case. The prosecution requested that the defendant be held, saying he is a danger to the community. 

Judge McKenna granted the request and ordered the defendant held. 

Another domestic violence defendant was also held on charges of assault and second-degree theft. 

The 20-year-old defendant was already on probation for another domestic violence matter. The new charges involved the same victim. By picking up these new charges, the defendant also violated his probation conditions. 

Judge McKenna held the defendant because she feared for the safety of the victim. 

Six felony defendants were released. Two of these defendants are co-defendants in Rorie’s case. Another two are charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The final two are charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and destruction of property less than $1,000. 

Four domestic violence defendants were also released. They picked up charges of simple assault, attempted threats, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and second-degree theft. 

A group of four co-defendants were released with charges of unlawful entry of private property, receiving stolen property less than $1,000, fleeing a law enforcement officer and driving without a permit. All four were given orders to stay away from the victim and her residence. 

Two defendants, charged with assault on a police officer, were also released on the condition they comply with pretrial services. 

Three fugitives from justice were released and ordered to return to the jurisdictions in Virginia that issued warrants for their arrests. 

An additional six defendants were released on various misdemeanor and traffic charges. One of these defendants was the final co-defendant in Rorie’s case. 

This article was written by Sierra Robbins.