Prosecution Says Defendant ‘Brought a Knife to a Fist Fight,’ During Discussion of Release 

By Birchard Allen IV [former] , Adrianna Bhan [former] - July 19, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

On July 18, a stabbing defendant waived his preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Herrman and was denied release.  

Tyrone Graham, 42, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place on July 13 at the intersection of 12th and U Street, NW in front of a McDonald’s restaurant. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

Graham previously had his preliminary hearing scheduled for July 16 and 17 but was unable to attend both hearings due to a medical scratch on July 16 and a non-compliant scratch on the 17.

At the hearing, Graham’s defense attorney Wole Falodun also requested the defendant’s release, requesting that Judge Herrman place him on electronic monitoring. 

According to court documents, Graham was allegedly standing at a bus stop when he and the victim got into a verbal altercation and the victim began punching Graham in the face. Video footage shows Graham reach into his bag and pull out a knife. He is seen allegedly stabbing the victim. 

Graham was “attacked out of nowhere,” and had no connection to the victim, arguing that video footage revealed that “at no point does Graham fight back,” Falodun said. 

“Just because you have a hammer doesn’t mean everything you see is a nail,” Falodun stated, arguing that though video footage may show Graham stabbing the victim, it was an effort of self defense. Falodun also said the victim had a weapon on him, which is why Graham used a knife.

The prosecuting attorney objected, saying “it is incorrect to blatantly assume the victim was at fault,” and the security camera footage shows Graham following the victim for roughly half a mile. 

The prosecution went on to say that even if Graham was acting in self defense he “brought a knife to a fist fight,” and demonstrated excessive force, highlighting the fact that the victim had a “left kidney and spleen laceration.” 

The prosecution also argued that Graham’s criminal history is extensive, citing several bench warrants, and a prior charge of assault with a deadly weapon that Graham was released for in 2022. 

Judge Herrman denied Falodun’s request for release but acknowledged that “it is going to be a close call,” if it goes to trial and “another judge may look at the video and not think it’s a close call.” 

“This very well could be self defense,” Judge Herrman stated, but said the pretrial report which cited two instances where Graham’s supervised release was revoked is reason enough to hold him. 

“I want to do what [Falodun] is asking, but I cannot,” Judge Herrman stated. 

During his two previous hearings it was announced that Graham requested new counsel, but Falodun stated that he would be staying on the case on July 18.

Parties are slated to meet on July 24.