DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones found probable cause Feb. 20 for a defendant accused of a DC Jail stabbing.
Christian Ware, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Oct. 21, 2025. One victim sustained five stab wounds, two to the back, two to the right arm, and one to the abdomen.
The prosecution called the detective, who wrote the arrest warrant, to testify about his knowledge of the incident. The detective adopted the arrest warrant as evidence in this case.
The arrest warrant stated that two suspects, one who was identified as Ware, entered into a cell, a few seconds later they left. Following the attack, an individual identified as Ware was seen holding a metal object in his hand, which the suspect proceeded to throw over the railing. After throwing the object, another inmate at the jail was seen picking it up and sliding it into a cell nearby. Later, in that cell, a shank was recovered.
In their argument for probable cause, the prosecution said there was a shank recovered in a cell directly below where Ware was allegedly seen throwing it, and there is a video of him rushing into the cell where the stabbing happened.
The prosecution requested that Ware be held for his charges.
Varsha Govindaraju, Ware’s attorney, argued against probable cause because in the arrest warrant it stated that the identification process for Ware was done by his mugshot, rather than the video of the incident. She argued the victim did not identify Ware as a suspect, and Ware was not the one who attacked the victim.
Govindaraju requested his release, even though he is held on other matters, including a homicide and multiple carjackings.
However, the prosecution objected to the release because Ware has a serious criminal record. He is a significant danger to the community, the prosecutor said.
Judge Jones ultimately granted the hold due to the seriousness of the case.
Parties are set to meet again on March 4.
