A defendant was sentenced for his part in two non-fatal stabbings before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Sep. 2.
On March 14, Chauncey Myers, 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 1600 block of Marion Berry Avenue, SE on July 13, 2024. A woman sustained injuries during the incident.
Myers also pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for a separate stabbing involving a corrections officer in the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on Jan. 29.
The victim in the July stabbing told Judge Di Toro “I died three times on the table,” recalling the need to be resuscitated during surgery. She detailed how the stabbing destroyed one kidney and her gall bladder, and has left her with constant pain after a three month hospital stay.
The prosecution requested the maximum possible sentence for the charges against the defendant. They showed body camera footage from the police response to the incident, which showed the victim unconscious on the sidewalk with blood pouring out of a wound that had been packed with the clothes of nearby witnesses. The victim was noticeably distressed while the video was played for the court.
“Nothing that [Myers] did prevented this from being a homicide,” stated the prosecution, highlighting the severity of the injuries caused by the defendant.
Following this video, a recording of a jail call between Myers and an associate was presented to the court. In it, he can be heard saying “If she go to court I’m done,” before trying to get someone else to intimidate the victim against testifying.
Joseph Fay, who represented Myers, later mentioned that Myers never contacted the complainant or followed through on his threats to intimidate her.
Fay emphasized Myers’ difficult childhood in the foster care system and previous struggles with mental health and substance abuse.
“There was a complete lack of stability in his upbringing,” Fay said.
Fay asked for the bottom guideline of sentencing, pointing to the facts that Myers had no prior felonies, was consistently employed, and had already completed drug treatment programs during his incarceration.
The defense, prior to sentencing, also requested that Myers be placed in a facility close to DC so that he can be near his children and access specific prison reform programs.
Myers was sentenced to 72 months for aggravated assault and 12 months for attempted assault, set to run concurrently. He will also be subject to three years of supervised release, during which he will be required to undergo drug treatment and mental health programs.
“This was a very serious event that resulted in the possible loss of life.” Di Toro said.
No further dates were set.
