A stabbing defendant was ordered held without bond after DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause during a preliminary hearing on July 21.
Marquise Jones, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed. The counts stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Carlos Shelly at the DC Central Detention Facility (CDF) located on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on May 12. The CDF is the high security area of the DC Jail.
According to court documents, Jones allegedly used a sharp metal object in a physical altercation between him and the victim. The fight left Jones unconscious, and he was immediately taken to Howard University Hospital due to injuries that led to emergency surgery on his jaw.
Prior to the hearing, the prosecution extended a plea offer. If Jones agreed to plead guilty to unarmed voluntary manslaughter, he would be sentenced within the applicable guidelines, which, at the very least, could be 48-to-120 months. Jones rejected the offer.
During the hearing, the court heard testimony from a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who led the case at the homicide unit. He confirmed that there were multiple inmates present at the incident and that a total of three sharp objects were found in a sweep.
Jones’ defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, argued Jones acted in self-defense as the surveillance footage appears to show the victim approaching Jones and starting a verbal argument. She also argued that the victim “swung first,” which led to the physical altercation. The prosecution disagreed, arguing that there was no significant evidence in favor of the defendant acting in self-defense, citing that the defendant did not suffer from any stab wounds.
Even though Judge Edelman found probable cause for the murder charge, he did not fully rule out that Jones acted in self-defense because the surveillance footage allegedly showed the victim approaching Jones and starting an altercation.
The prosecutor ended her argument by stating, “not only is he a significant risk to the community, he is also a flight risk.” She said, in 2018, the defendant shot an individual in the hand and claimed self-defense, then failed to appear in court. Also, in 2021, Jones was charged with assault and battery.
The defense asked for Jones’ release with either GPS tracking or home confinement, arguing that he had already completed his sentence for the previous convictions.
The judge granted the prosecution’s request for continued detention. He noted Jones’ criminal record, prior bench warrants, and history of non-compliance.
“There are no conditions of release that would assure the safety of the community or his return to court,” said Edelman.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 10.
