A non-fatal stabbing defendant waived her right to a preliminary hearing and was denied release on March 17 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum.
Donita Harris, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the unit block of Galveston Street, SE on Jan. 27. The victim was stabbed in the left thigh during the incident, and later transported to a hospital.
According to court documents, Harris and the victim had allegedly been in a relationship, and Harris was going to pick up her items from the victim’s residence. When Harris arrived at the house, the victim did not let her enter, and handed her items back. Harris then reportedly broke in through the back door, and stabbed the victim in the left thigh while he was on the phone with 911.
Harris waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
Adgie O’Bryant, Harris’ attorney, argued for Harris’ release in this case under conditions of a stay-away order, along with GPS monitoring and home confinement. O’Bryant stated Harris had a son to take care of and stable housing.
Prosecutors opposed release, since this was not the first time Harris had broken into the victim’s house and Harris has a past violent history, she should not be on release.
O’Bryant stated that a GPS and stay-away order would ensure that Harris does not return to the victim’s residence.
Judge Hildum denied the release request, saying that Harris had a civil stay-away order against her, running from 2025-to-2027, from a different individual. Judge Hildum also cited her criminal history including a simple assault and another assault with a dangerous weapon charge.
Parties are set to reconvene on April 15.
