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By
Patrick Hillmeyer
- February 3, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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stabbing
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Suspects
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DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan released a stabbing defendant allegedly involved in a jealous quarrel, during a hearing on Jan. 30.
Osmin Vanegas Alvarez, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NE, on Dec. 29, 2024. The incident left one victim suffering from severe stab wounds to the left side of his chest, arm and neck.
According to previous testimony from the investing detective, the incident stemmed from Alvarez’s jealousy response to a co-worker’s talking to his girlfriend’. Alvarez is alleged to have engaged in a verbal altercation, then stabbed the victim multiple times.
During the hearing, Molly Bunke, Alvarez’s attorney, argued Alvarez can be safely released from confinement. She stated that this case is unlike other ones, as the defendant was initially approached by the victim, and that it was not a random attack on the street. There was no planning or prior intent, nor the use of an illegal weapon, according to Bunke.
Bunke also mentioned Alvarez’s stable job and lack of significant criminal history, as well as the fact that Alvarez voluntarily turned himself in the day of the incident.
The prosecution countered testimony shows that Alvarez has severe jealousy problems, in that the incident was triggered by a trivial action, exacerbated with a with a readily available knife suggesting the same thing could happen again. The prosecution compared the incident to a domestic violence case, which have high recurrence rates.
Judge Ryan rejected that argument but stated his concern over Alvarez’s jealousy issue. Despite this, Judge Ryan granted release given Alvarez’s history and stable situation. His conditions include GPS monitoring, a curfew, a mental health evaluation, and a stay away order from the victim and the location of the incident.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 21.