‘You Made A Big Mistake,’ Says Judge Sentencing Stabbing Defendant

By Maren Fagan - September 16, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

A stabbing defendant pleaded guilty to simple assault and attempted possession of a dangerous weapon in a misdemeanor plea agreement on Sept. 13, with DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld presiding. .

Victor Mejia, 52, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charges of simple assault and attempted possession of a dangerous weapon to remove the felony charges of assault with a dangerous weapon. Mejia pleaded guilty to stabbing a co-worker on the 4000 block of Cathedral Avenue, NW at a business establishment on Oct. 13, 2023. 

During the hearing, the prosecution said a jury would have found Mejia guilty of the act, even if he had not pleaded guilty, because the stabbing followed an argument when Mejia attacked his coworker with a knife, resulting in the victim’s needing several stitches. The prosecution said Mejia endangered all workers present with his actions. 

The prosecution asked for Mejia to be sentenced to 90 days for each count but suspended the time so long as Mejia remains in compliance with probation for one year. The prosecution said the court’s probation resources to provide anger management counseling could help him learn from the experience. 

Henry Escoto, Mejia’s defense attorney, said Mejia is “very, very remorseful” and the actions were “out of character.” 

“I am very sorry about this,” Mejia said. “I will never again get in a situation like this.” 

Judge Hertzfeld said she believed Mejia had understood the severity of his actions and had been law-abiding “as far as I can tell” up until the stabbing. 

“You made a big mistake here,” Judge Hertzfeld said. 

In considering that Mejia had been under court supervision since the incident, Judge Hertzfeld ordered the 90 days Mejia would serve on each count to be suspended so long as Mejia complies with probation for three months. 

No further dates were set.