Judge Finds Probable Cause in Stabbing Case 

By Ella Munnelly - October 17, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause that a  stabbing defendant was the perpetrator on Oct. 15.

Travis Haney, 37, is charged with assault with intent to kill for a stabbing that occurred at the DC Jail on the 1900th block of D Street, SE on Sept. 14. One person was injured. 

According to documents, the stabbing occurred inside the jail, and the victim suffered from 12 stab wounds to his hands, face and neck. 

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who identified Haney as the only individual present with the victim at the time of the stabbing, according to the investigation. 

Under cross, Haney’s defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, pointed out that there were no cameras inside the cell where the stabbing took place, and therefore no video surveillance of the incident.

Weletz also stated that during the questioning of the victim, he stated that he was asleep during the incident and therefore unable to know what had happened. 

Weletz said it is important to know if an inmate was defending themselves during that stabbing, suggesting that Haney could have been acting out of self defense. 

However the prosecutor said probable cause has been established because at the time of the stabbing. At the time, only the victim and the defendant were present in the cell. It is reasonable to infer that the victim did not stab himself, the prosecutor said. The prosecutor said the number of stab wounds suggest that the assault was done with intent to kill. 

Parties are slated to reconvene May 23.