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By
Natalie Valentin
, Sophia Cooper - January 21, 2025
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DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied release for two sisters accused in a stabbing during a hearing on Jan. 17.
Donea Williams, 30, and Ashley Brown, 26, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Dec. 8, 2024 in a DC metro bus at the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and 28th Street, SE.
During a hearing on Jan. 10, Williams and Brown waived their rights to a preliminary hearing, and their defense attorneys requested they be released as they await further proceedings.
During their bond review hearing on Jan. 17, the prosecutor played video surveillance from inside and outside the bus capturing the incident. The prosecutor also showed images taken at the hospital of the victims’ stab wound on the left side of the face and multiple wounds on the back.
During their argument against release, the prosecution told Judge Kravitz this was a planned and coordinated attack. According to the prosecution, Brown, who was already on the bus with the victim, called Williams to meet her at the bus stop for the assault.
Peter Cooper, Brown’s attorney, argued that it wasn’t a planned attack, stating “she’s going to meet her sister. Plain and simple.”
The prosecution rebutted this argument by showing video footage from outside the bus that allegedly shows Williams holding a knife before attacking the victim.
After reviewing the footage and images, and hearing arguments, Judge Kravitz reminded defendants they waived their right to a preliminary hearing where probable cause could have been argued. Judge Kravitz denied both defendants’ motions to reconsider release after stating it was an “incredibly violent and dangerous incident.”
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Feb. 14.