DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz modified a domestic violence stabbing defendant’s probation conditions to allow him to see his family in a hearing on March 6.
On Sept. 15, 2022, Gabriel Esquina, 23, was sentenced to five years in prison with all but four suspended, followed by probation for aggravated assault knowingly while armed. The sentence stemmed from his involvement in a stabbing on Jan. 26, 2022 on the 2800 block of Myrtle Avenue, NE. The incident left Esquina’s father injured.
At the hearing, parties addressed Esquina’s recent violation of a stay-away order imposed by Judge Kravitz as part of his probation conditions. The prosecution requested a revocation of Esquina’s probation, and that he serve one year in prison as a consequence of the violation.
Esquina’s attorney, Henry Escoto, told Judge Kravitz that the violation, which involved Esquina going to his parents’ house, began as a consensual interaction after was invited. However, something occurred while Esquina was there that led to his parents calling the police.
Escoto said that because the interaction began consensually and Esquina’s parents expressed interest in maintaining contact with Esquina, his probation should not be revoked.
Parties also noted that Esquina was currently serving a 120 day sentence at the DC Jail for a separate matter in DC.
After assessing the arguments presented by the parties, Judge Kravitz said that Esquina had “already been punished” with his sentence in the other matter. In addition, Judge Kravitz acknowledged the unique circumstances surrounding Esquina’s probation violation.
In accordance with suggestions from both parties, Judge Kravitz ruled to modify the conditions of Esquina’s probation so that he could see his parents and talk to them, but was not allowed to be at their home, and would have to meet them elsewhere if they wanted an in-person interaction.
No further hearings were set.
