Judge Issues Warrant After Defendant Fails to Appear

By Cathy Ochoa - September 26, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

A bench warrant for arrest was filed for a stabbing defendant due to his failure to appear in court Sept. 24  He was found non-compliant with conditions of his release by DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro. 

Billy Williams, 68, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon,  assault with significant bodily injury, threat to kidnap or injure a person, and panhandling.

These charges are in connection to a stabbing on Dec. 7, 2023 at Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, NW Virginia Avenue, NW at approximately 12:30pm. He was released on Jan. 9, 2024 on his own recognizance.

Williams was the object of a bench warrant on Jan. 16, 2024 with charges of failure to appear for a felony arraignment hearing and assault with a dangerous weapon. On July 12, 2024 his release status was downgraded to wearing an ankle monitoring device, weekly urinalysis and attending group therapy.. 

During the Sept. 24 hearing, defense attorney Henry Escoto arrived late without Williams, after Williams failed to attend the hearing. Judge Di Toro said Williams has been non-compliant in drug testing and has not kept his overnight curfew.

A second bench order was issued against Williams during the hearing for the previous charges of failure to appear for pretrial show cause hearing, and assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), and an added charge of assault with a significant bodily injury. 

Williams was scheduled for a motion hearing on Oct. 10.