DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover accepted a stabbing defendant’s preliminary hearing waiver and denied his request for release due to concerns about community safety on Aug. 5.
Antonio Williams, 59, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Aug. 1 on the 2600 block of Q Street, SE. The victim
According to court documents, the crime occurred after Williams was upset with the victim, who he had been living with for the past nine months, for allowing another allowing another person to stay with them.
Williams’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, informed Judge Glover that Williams wanted to waive his preliminary hearing, which he accepted.
King requested that Williams be released on GPS monitoring. She argued that Williams is older, had dated criminal history, was a self-employed electrician demonstrating his sense of responsibility.
She added that Williams was willing to find another place to stay and was willing to stay away from the victim.
The prosecutor objected, arguing that Williams had a relationship with the victim, who was supposed to be someone that he cared about, but instead decided to lash out and harm the victim. In addition, she pointed out that there was a child in the room during the stabbing.
The prosecutor said she was planning to extend a plea offer. She requested that Williams continue to be held at the DC Jail and informed Judge Glover that Williams had tested positive for cocaine and phencyclidine (PCP) during drug screenings.
Judge Glover said while Williams’ criminal history was dated, his criminal history was significant and included prior convictions, cruelty to animals, and misdemeanors for marijuana.
Ultimately, Judge Glover decided to keep Williams at the DC Jail as he believed there were no conditions that could be set to ensure the safety of the community.
Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 21.
