DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum denied a stabbing defendant’s request for release at a hearing on July 27.
Michael Hudley, 57, is charged with assault with significant bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on July 23 at the Eastern Market Metro Station on the 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Parties noted in court that Hudley, who is homeless, is confined to a wheelchair and is missing his left leg.
According to court documents, Hudley reportedly accused a woman, who is also homeless, of stealing his money and phone. Then, he allegedly threatened to kill her and stabbed her in the left leg, left forearm, and chest with a knife.
Court documents report that Hudley allegedly told the victim, “You stole my money and my phone b*tch. I’m going to kill you,” before the stabbing.
In court, Hudley waived his right to a preliminary hearing that would have determined if probable cause existed for the charge against him.
Hudley’s attorney, Everald Thompson, asked for him to be released on home confinement and receive mental health assistance. Based on his disabilities, Thompson said the safety of the community would be ensured. Thompson acknowledged that Hudley had a previous criminal conviction in 2003 for carrying a pistol without a license.
Thompson said Hudley’s other convictions were misdemeanors, including a simple assault conviction in 2025. Both parties agreed that since the probation for his 2025 simple assault misdemeanor expired in March, he was not on probation or supervised release at the time of the stabbing.
The prosecution opposed the request for release, arguing that the charges carry a presumption of detention because they involve a violent offense. The prosecution additionally said that despite Hudley’s physical disabilities, he has prior convictions involving a knife, as well as previous drug and driving offenses. Therefore, they argued that no release conditions could adequately protect the community.
Judge Hildum concluded that the nature of the stabbing, the strength of the evidence, and Hudley’s criminal history outweighed the factors mentioned by the defense and were not enough to release him.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 9.
