DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied the release of a murder defendant on Nov. 5, despite allegations that the DC Jail is not providing appropriate treatment for his open wounds.
Desmond Barr, 24, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, for his alleged involvement in the death of Ambria Farmer, 20. The incident occurred on July 13, 2024 on the 3600 block of F Street, SE.
Barr’s defense attorneys, Hannah Claudio and Dominique Winters, continued their arguments with a supplemental motion for Barr’s release after initially filing in October. .
According to Judge Park, to go from Barr’s being detained to being released over inadequate medical treatment is “too large of a jump” and that it “misses many steps” in the process to allow the defendant to be released from custody.
Judge Park continued that court records reflect issues raised by the defense regarding Barr’s treatment and the Department of Correction’s (DoC) failure to understand or comply with the medical alert ordered during the preliminary hearings in this matter.
Claudio and Winters included a new representation that Barr’s physical therapy has been discontinued.
The initial medical alert issued stated Barr is required to have physical therapy while detained to reduce the risk of future blood clotting as a result of a spinal cord injury he suffered from a shooting, as well as mobility issues related to the injury.
Representatives from the Department of Corrections (DOC) and Unity Health were also present to assure Barr is getting adequate treatment and that outside treatment options were available if he needed them to recover.
The representative from Unity Health stated physical therapy is not ordered, so it is not being administered at this time.
The Unity Health representative went on to indicate that their treatment of jail patients is no different that what happens in the outside setting. He also said they are accredited as an organization and that they have all the certifications they need to adequately treat inmates who are detained.
The Unity Health representative also stated that some of the medical responsibility lies with the patient to ask for help when needed.
Examples include changing sleeping posture, not remaining in one position for too long, and notifying infirmary staff if symptoms worsen in regards to wounds or other conditions the defendant is suffering.
As for the risk of infection he claimed that the infirmary was an aseptic space and mitigation efforts reduce the risk of further infection for the defendant. Pictures of Barr’s wounds were submitted in evidence. .
The defense asked the representative about the physical therapy equipment that was available at the jail and he said it was “standard” and anything additionally needed for Barr was available at an off-site location to be used if necessary for recovery.
He also addressed the final concern about Barr’s wheelchair. He indicated that Barr had been issued a wheelchair that was standard at medical facilities, like a hospital, three times already and he had “destroyed” the first two.
Claudio and Winters argued for Barr’s release, citing that the representatives’ claims about the state of the wheelchairs and the degree to which Barr had tampered with them were inaccurate.
They argued that the treatment at the jail is unacceptable. Through medical records, they found out he was classified as a paraplegic instead of a tetraplegic–one suffering almost total paralysis.
Treatment errors cited included improper monitoring of blood pressure, incorrectly prescribing medication, and relying on Barr to notice changes in symptoms where he has little to no feeling. The defense claims that these lapses ihave put him at risk for strokes.
Their final concern was about the catheters the jail had been using for Barr, stating they had been inconsistent with the number and size of them, leading to numerous urinary tract infections that were recorded on court documents.
Judge Park asked the prosecution about their position in the matter. The prosecution affirmed the position of the two medical representatives that to the best of their ability, the DOC and DC Jail was accommodating Barr and his conditions as best they could.
They also stated they agreed that if more serious issues persist, Barr’s situation would need to change.
The court ruled additional review was needed, which the defense said they would cover with an independent expert.
Meanwhile, the court upheld the denial for release but said Barr’s health issues needed to be considered, noting the defense’s concerns are well-founded.
Judge Park finished by saying that he could intervene, but needed the DOC, Unity Health, and independent experts to provide more information.
Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 14.
