Judge Releases Defendant Despite ‘Less Than Stellar’ Compliance

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DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied the prosecution’s request to detain a murder defendant, who has had “less than stellar” compliance, during a hearing on Aug. 28.

Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the death of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd, which occurred on June 22 on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE.

According to court documents, an individual, identified as Bonaparte, broke through the windows of a vacant apartment where she kept her possessions. Boyd and his significant other were in the apartment at the time. Bonaparte claimed the apartment was hers and that the pair had to leave even though they were squatting in a vacant unit, according to court documents.

Bonaparte, a one-time girlfriend of Boyd’s, became agitated and threatened to shoot them both to death before going to the kitchen and finding a knife. Boyd’s partner, who sought refuge in a bedroom, heard him say, “Ahhh, you crazy b****!” Then Boyd’s partner said she saw him bleeding profusely.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responding to the scene found Boyd stabbed to death in a pool of his own blood.

Bonaparte, who has been released since July 31, has been non-compliant with her release conditions, according to a representative from pre-trial services.

Weighing the severity of Bonaparte’s charges, and her apparent inability to be compliant, the prosecution requested that Bonaparte’s release be revoked.

They assert that within the last week, Bonaparte tested positive during a scheduled drug test, and subsequently missed multiple drug testing appointments.

Bonaparte has also failed to report to scheduled drug treatment assessment and meetings with her case manager, according to the representative.

The prosecution voiced concerns about the battery level of Bonaparte’s GPS electronic monitor which was as low as “one percent” and not charged for “two-to-three days” at a time.

Bonaparte’s defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, argued that the defendant missed the scheduled drug testing due to her inflexible work schedule and switch in case managers.

Gardner indicated to the court that Bonaparte was compliant within the first week of her release, and the four attendance issues were all in the same week. Gardner asserted that Bonaparte requires time to adjust to the conditions of her release.

Bonaparte’s case manager confirmed that he had met with Bonaparte prior to the missed meetings, and that she had multiple opportunities to charge the GPS device. He told Judge Raffinan he tracked the defendant’s movement regularly, and according to the GPS, the defendant did not have any work conflicts.

The judge requested proof of employment but denied the prosecution’s request for her detainment.

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 10.