DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel acknowledged she saw a positive change in a stabbing defendant during his sentencing on Nov. 19.
Terrence Stanley, 38, pleaded guilty on July 1 to robbery, simple assault, and possession of a prohibited weapon. The charges are in connection to a non-fatal stabbing that took place on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NW, on March 11. One individual sustained a shallow cut on his neck.
Prosecutors requested 60 months of imprisonment for the robbery charge, and 180 days each for the assault and possession charge. They stated that Stanley’s actions were particularly dangerous, since the victim was a case manager for a mental health facility in DC, who was trying to help Stanley find resources in the community.
Defense attorney Lauren Morehouse described this incident as “truly a scared straight moment” for Stanley. She described Stanley’s history with substance abuse, and cited this as one of the driving factors behind the incident.
Morehouse said while incarcerated Stanley had completed a four month long Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program (RSAT), calling it a “stepping stone for the future” for Stanley.
“He put his intention into action,” said Morehouse of Stanley’s dedication to complete the RSAT program.
Morehouse requested a sentence of 24 total months of jail time for all three charges and asked for probation instead of more incarceration.
Judge Israel asked Stanley if he would like to add anything before she finalized the sentence.
“RSAT really helped me with my thinking and my behavior,” Stanley said. “I am remorseful, and I want to prove to you that I can do it,” Stanley said regarding probation.
Judge Israel agreed that the crime was particularly violent against a victim who was trying to help Stanley, however also noted Stanley’s dedication to complete the RSAT program.
“It’s hard to fake making a change over the course of four months,” Judge Israel said.
Judge Israel sentenced Stanley to 38 months of imprisonment for robbery, 180 days for the assault charge, and 180 days for the possession charge. The sentences will run concurrently followed by three years of supervised release.
No future dates were set.
