DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe sentenced a stabbing defendant to 120 days incarceration with no probation on April 7 after she accepted a plea offer.
Thelma Speed, 32, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a stabbing on the 200 block of 51st Street, NE on Jan. 6. The victim sustained lacerations to both hands and his left forearm.
During the hearing, the prosecution extended a plea offer that required Speed to plead guilty to simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss any greater charges and not seek an additional indictment.
Speed’s attorney, Darryl Daniels, accepted the plea deal on behalf of his client.
The maximum penalty for simple assault is 180 days incarceration and the maximum penalty for possession of a prohibited weapon is one year’s incarceration.
Had the case gone to trial, the prosecution said they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim brought Speed back to his apartment as an argument broke out. Speed then stabbed the victim with a knife. These actions had no legal justification and were not in self-defense.
The prosecution requested Judge Pipe sentence Speed to 180 days incarceration for both charges, running concurrently, with no probation. According to the prosecution, Speed has a criminal history and two active warrants in New Jersey. She also tested positive for cocaine and PCP during her arrest.
Daniels also requested 180 days, all suspended except for time served in favor of one year probation. He said probation is an opportunity for her to show “[Speed] is ready to make changes.”
Speed does not wish to return to New Jersey, according to Daniels, except to resolve the warrants.
Before sentencing, Speed said to Judge Pipe “Thank you for teaching me a lesson,” and asked for a chance to turn her life around.
As a result, Judge Pipe sentenced Speed to 120 days incarceration for both charges served concurrently, however she was denied probation meaning she could be subject to immediate legal sanctions. Speed will get credit for time served and must pay.
There were no further hearings scheduled in this case.
