D.C. Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a jailhouse stabbing defendant to 18 months in prison on Sept. 30.
On Aug. 28, Daymark Baird, 21, pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury for his involvement in stabbing an inmate on the 1900 block D Street, SE on April 17.
The prosecution asked for 18 months, to run consecutively, to sentences in two unrelated matters, arguing for incarceration because Baird has multiple cases in Maryland and DC and supervision hasn’t worked in the past.
Regarding the stabbing, the prosecution claimed that Baird wanted the assault at the jail to occur and wanted “maximum pain” for the victim because the victim was allegedly from a rival crew.
The prosecution opposed sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows people under 25 who are convicted of certain crimes to have their convictions sealed or cleared after they successfully complete their sentence. The youth police also potentially offers sentencing flexibility.
Defense counsel Chidi Ogolo claimed to understand the prosecution’s concern, however, asked Judge Di Toro for an opportunity for Baird to improve himself.
Ogolo claimed that Baird had time to think about his past and has matured by acknowledging that he can’t be mad at his absent father and single working mother. Ogolo argued that Baird has aspirations to be a welder, however, hasn’t gotten his high school diploma.
The defense attorney asked Judge Di Toro to fashion a sentence that would allow Baird to get his GED, find a job, and get a stable place to live, requesting the defendant be sentenced under the YRA.
Ogolo also said the incident at the jail may have been an “attempt to get along with friends”. Ogolo claimed that Baird was susceptible to crime because of his youth.
Judge Di Toro denied the defense’s request to sentence Baird according to the YRA because his cases are becoming violent and aggressive. However, she argued it wouldn’t be appropriate to sentence Baird at the top of the sentencing guidelines either due to mental health issues.
Judge Di Toro imposed an 18 month sentence, with five years of supervised release, and $100 to the victims of violent crime fund. Baird’s sentence is set to run consecutively to any other sentence he is required to serve.
On supervised release, Judge Di Toro ordered Baird to get his GED or vocational training, transitional housing, mental health treatment, and substance abuse treatment.
