A Judge said “I believe her,” as defendant stated she was receiving mental health treatment during her sentencing before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Feb. 12.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Devyn Cyphers, 28, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a stabbing on July 31, 2025 on the 300 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. The victim, a close friend of Cyphers, sustained a puncture wound to her neck but survived the attack.
According to court documents, the victim allegedly received a phone call from Cyphers. The victim invited her over to her apartment thinking Cyphers was “in need” of a friend.
When the victim opened the door, Cyphers allegedly stabbed her in the neck and proceeded to threaten her with a gun. The victim managed to break away from Cyphers and ran to the bedroom where she and her boyfriend hid and called the police.
In a victim impact statement read by the prosecution on Feb. 12, the victim recalled “crawling on the floor screaming at [Cyphers] not to shoot.”
“Regardless of the lock and doors, I was the one who invited a friend in need over,” the victim wrote, “why did she show up and choose to hurt me?”
Cyphers’ defense attorney, Peter Odom, argued that Cyphers had suffered a psychotic break at the time of the incident. He presented surveillance footage of Cyphers being taken away from the interview room, she resisted and was tackled to the ground by four officers. He noted her behavior in the footage was out of character for Cyphers, given her mental turmoil.
Odom brought forward Cyphers’ family to give statements on her character and advocate for her release.
“My sister is a good person,” Cypher’s sister said, “what has already happened to her will punish her for the rest of her life.”
The prosecutor claimed there have been no recent reports of Cyphers’ compliance with medical treatment since Dec. 15, 2025. He was concerned for the safety of the community and validity of Cyphers’ attempt at recovery.
At the time of the incident and immediately after, the prosecution said that Cyphers may not have been aware nor could she recollect what happened. However, now that she remembers, she must be held accountable.
It is not “about what is best for Devyn Cyphers” but what is “appropriate for this case,” the prosecution said when talking about Cyphers’ sentence. He requested the court confine Cyphers’ for 60 months.
Judge Hertzfeld called the prosecution’s proposal solely “retribution.”
“[The] only real reason for her to serve time is to punish her,” Judge Hertzfeld said.
In her statement to the court, Cyphers’ mother was upset by the possible confinement, believing that her daughter should not be punished for a medical emergency.
“Psychosis happened to her, not by her,” Cyphers’ mother said.
In an apology to the victim on behalf of the family, the mother said “I am so sorry she needed a medical bed, [but] I will never forgive myself for not knowing my daughter needed one too.”
Cyphers was given the chance to speak about the incident and her actions since Dec. 15. “I still love her,” she said about the victim. “She would not want an apology but action,” Cyphers said about the victim. “She would want me to be a woman of action.”
Cyphers asserted that she has been in treatment and “working everyday to understand” what happened.
The prosecution continued to press that Cyphers may not be taking the prescribed anti-psychotics because of medical reports are lacking.
Judge Hertzfeld pushed back, stating “I believe her.”
Judge Hertzfeld imposed a 30 months sentence, suspended, with three years of supervised release, suspended, and required Cyphers to be on supervised probation for two years, with requirements to undergo mental health treatment and stay away from the victim.
Judge Hertzfeld noted the strong support from Cyphers’ family, who had been present throughout the proceedings as a reason to release Cyphers.
“Your honor has saved her life,” Cyphers’ mother said.
No further dates were set.
