A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe’s courtroom found a stabbing defendant guilty of two out of three charges on Nov. 19.
Willie Byrd, 61, was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Feb. 28, 2023. The incident occurred at the intersection of 2nd and D Street, SW.
According to court documents, the victim required multiple surgeries and intensive care as a result.
The jury convicted Byrd on the charges of aggravated assault knowingly while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, and acquitted him of assault with intent to kill.
During the trial, the prosecution introduced a witness who was at the scene just before the stabbing. The witness described the victim as “out of his element” while attempting to buy drugs in the neighborhood, which she believed left him “vulnerable.”
CCTV surveillance footage was presented by the prosecution to support claims of Byrd’s involvement in the stabbing and his intent to kill. However, the defense argued that the same footage indicated the stabbing was an act of self-defense.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 31.
