A stabbing defendant pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Jan. 21, while his co-defendant is detained under federal auspices in another jurisdiction.
Ramie Saunders, 38, and D’andre Montgomery, 19, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon,and assault with significant bodily injury for their alleged involvement in a stabbing, which occurred in the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on April 17, 2025.
According to court documents, the Department of Corrections (DOC) reviewed surveillance footage at the time of the offense and found that Saunders and Montgomery, along with two other suspects, allegedly assaulted the victim in the common area of the jail’s housing unit, striking the victim with a sharp metal object.
During the hearing, Montgomery’s attorney, Charlotte Gilliland, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted his constitutional rights, including a speedy trial. Gilliland also requested additional time to review a plea offer sent by prosecutors, though the terms of the plea were not discussed in court.
Saunders, who was scheduled to appear for arraignment as well, was not present due to his detention in a federal Bureau of Prisons (BoP) facility for an unrelated matter. Todd Baldwin, Saunders’ attorney, alerted the court that given Sanders’ absence Baldwin was unable to assert his client’s rights.
Judge Salerno urged parties to begin the writ process, creating a former order, to bring Sanders to Superior Court.
Montgomery is slated to return on March 11 for a status hearing, while no new date is set for Saunders.
