DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum released a stabbing defendant to home confinement after finding probable cause in a hearing on March 26.
Ricky Wright, 41, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing at a bus stop at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Upshur Street, NW on March 21. One victim sustained lacerations to the nose and forehead.
Prosecutors informed the judge that they had a preliminary plea offer extended to defense that would require Wright to plead guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and they would not indict him on any further charges. If he continued with his hearing today that offer would expire.
Victoria Bethel, Wright’s attorney, told Judge Hildum that Wright wanted to proceed.
Prosecutors called a Metropolitan Transit Police Department (MTPD) officer who testified that he received a call on the day of the incident around seven p. m. responding to a bus fight. Once at the scene, Wright had already been detained, and the police officer noticed the victim with blood all over his face.
The officer asked the victim what had happened, but the victim did not want to elaborate. According to the police officer, detectives found video footage that the men who were “mutually combating” on the bus before stepping off. During the investigation, they allegedly found a knife handle on Wright, but no blade.
Bethel cross-examined the officer asking if the bus driver was the one who called the police, to which he answered yes. She also asked whether the bus driver’s full attention was on the fight or the road. The officer told her that the driver had stopped at the bus stop and called the police about the fight.
Bethel argued that Judge Hildum should not determine probable cause because the only eyewitness was the bus driver who was focused on driving and not the fight, just a handle of a knife was found, and there is no proof of who the initial aggressor was.
Prosecutors argued the opposite because the bus was at a complete stop when the fight happened, the handle of a knife was found, and the bloody wounds that the officers witnessed on the victim.
“Although we don’t know who started it, we know who got the worst of it,” asserted Judge Hildum as he found probable cause against Wright.
Bethel argued for release of because Wright has medical issues that are not being properly addressed at the DC Jail, including his ostomy bag to collect bodily waste and lower back pain. Wright’s father told Bethel that he also is diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and paranoid schizophrenia. Bethel believed that he would be more functional if he was back in the community.
Prosecutors argued that he be held because he stabbed someone at a bus stop, which is a busy location he is a danger to the community, particularly with his prior criminal history including assault.
Judge Hildum released Wright on 24-hour home confinement with exceptions to receive medical care and to go to court. Judge Hildum told Wright, “I will not reconsider this under any circumstances” if he violates the conditions of release.
Parties are slated to reconvene on May 5.
