A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal admitting to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on April 20.
Jasmine Berliner, 23, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on March 26 on the 700 block of 8th Street, NE. The victim sustained stab wounds to the chest, hand, arm, and shoulder after an argument with Berliner.
The prosecution extended an offer that required Berliner to plead guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. This charge carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss any greater charges and not seek an indictment with additional charges.
The prosecution said that if the case had gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Berliner pulled a knife out of her purse and stabbed the victim after the victim slapped her.
Berliner said she did not agree with this statement, saying the victim did not slap her, instead gave two “closed fist punches.” The prosecution agreed to change the verbiage from “slapped” to “punched,” as long as the defense agreed that the stabbing was not self-defense. Judge McLean then accepted Berliner’s guilty plea.
Adam Harris, Berliner’s attorney, requested Berliner be released pending sentencing. The prosecution objected, stating that Berliner showed no remorse for her actions and also had a prior assault conviction in an unrelated case.
Judge McLean stated that DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum originally ruled that Berliner would be held, stating that she would uphold his decision.
Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on June 5.
