DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum accepted a non-fatal stabbing defendant’s preliminary hearing waiver but kept him in jail, in part because of past crimes on Nov. 5.
Chauncey Liverpool, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that wounded his girlfriend on the 4000 block of 3rd Street, SE, on Sept. 9.
Liverpool appeared in court and signed a waiver of his preliminary hearing. Judge Hildum confirmed that Liverpool had discussed his rights with his attorney and reviewed those rights, and formally accepted the waiver.
During the release argument, Howard McEachern, Liverpool’s attorney, emphasized that Liverpool is 32 and a lifelong resident of DC. He tested negative for drugs while in lockup, and noted that his prior criminal history consisted only of misdemeanors, and he has been under supervision in connection with some of those cases.
McEachern requested that Liverpool be released under supervision pending trial.
The prosecution opposed release, arguing that the defense had not rebutted the basis for detention. The prosecutor stated that Liverpool intentionally stabbed his girlfriend in the arm with scissors, and multiple witnesses saw and heard the altercation before calling 911. The prosecution asserted that the evidence is strong, including physical evidence from the victim’s injuries and multiple eyewitness accounts.
The prosecution further noted Liverpool’s criminal history, including a prior armed robbery conviction for which he was sentenced to eight years, with four years suspended and five years of supervised release, and several violations of that supervision. Liverpool also has a conviction for second-degree assault and remains on probation for that offense, as well as two domestic violence cases. Based on this history and the current allegations, the prosecutors requested that he remain detained.
Judge Hildum found that the weight of the evidence is strong and cited concerns about Liverpool’s supervision violations, failures to appear in prior cases, and the seriousness of the alleged offense, which occurred while he was under supervision.
The judge ruled that no set of conditions would responsibly assure community safety or Liverpool’s appearance in court, and therefore ordered him held.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 12.
