A stabbing defendant in a brutal assault entered into a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan during a felony arraignment hearing Feb. 19.
Michael Sanders, 31, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in an April 1, 2025 non-fatal stabbing that occurred while Sanders was incarcerated at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE. One victim sustained 18 stab wounds.
After Sanders was arraigned on the charges against him, his attorney, Daniel Kovler, said his client accepted an agreement from the prosecution which required Sanders to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. As a result, the other charge against Sanders would be dismissed.
According to the prosecution, if the case had gone to trial, they would have proven that Sanders voluntarily assaulted the victim with a sharp object after the two men had been talking outside of a jail cell. Surveillance footage would have shown Sanders lunging towards the victim and making stabbing motions.
Kovler requested that sentencing be delayed until after Sanders’ September trial for another matter. However, the prosecution insisted that this delay would unfairly prejudice their case.
Judge Ryan denied Kovler’s request, stipulating that he would be willing to delay sentencing if an agreement is reached between the parties before sentencing.
Parties are slated to reconvene May 15 for sentencing.
