DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum denied a stabbing defendant’s release after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing of the evidence against him on July 23.
Harold Jackson, 56, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on July 18, on the 3400 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. The victim sustained a laceration on his arm from a box cutter.
At the start of the hearing, Judge Hildum accepted Jackson’s signed waiver of a preliminary hearing, to formally determine if probable cause existed for the charge against him. Then parties presented arguments regarding release.
Lola Ziadie, Jackson’s attorney, said that on the night of the incident, Jackson had been on a walk with his best friend in his “really nice neighborhood” when he ran into the victim. In arguing self-defense, Ziadie claimed the victim was intoxicated and allegedly “poking [Jackson’s] eyes.”
In response to the self-defense argument, Judge Hildum informed Ziadie that probable cause was previously found for Jackson committing assault with a dangerous weapon, and noted her request for release.
The prosecutor asked for Jackson to remain held. They argued that Jackson attacked the victim after allegedly trying to steal his bag. While the victim could not identify the suspect, multiple eyewitnesses reportedly identified Jackson as the alleged perpetrator, as well as CCTV camera footage of the incident that corroborated the victim’s story. In addition, Jackson was reportedly found in possession of a boxcutter.
The prosecutor augmented his argument with a mention of Jackson’s “dated criminal history,” most recently a probation noncompliance notice filed in 2011 for a 1999 heroin charge.
In addition, Jackson allegedly tested positive for cocaine at the time of his arrest.
“I think the weight of the evidence is strong at this point,” Judge Hildum stated. “For reasons that are unclear, the defendant felt the need to take out a boxcutter and cut the [victim].”
After he considered the case’s evidence and drug and firearm charges throughout Jackson’s criminal history, Judge Hildum found that he could not impose conditions of release that would ensure the safety of the community. The judge granted the prosecution’s request for Jackson to remain held.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 6.
