Judge Releases 24 Out of 26 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 23, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released 24 defendants and held two defendants during initial hearings on June 22.

Dajuan Jones was held on a charge of first-degree murder while armed. The defense attorney for the defendant argued that there is a lot of confusion in the police report and argued that there is no concrete evidence that the defendant had anything to do with the murder.

Jones’ criminal history includes a robbery conviction and he is also a fugitive in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

James Quigley is the other defendant who was held on a charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession with intent to distribute while armed. Judge Herrmann said she decided to hold the defendant, who is also being charged in another open case for carrying a pistol without a license.

A defendant was charged with the violation of a protective order. While Judge Herrmann found probable cause that the defendant violated the location aspect of his protection order, she said he did not attempt to make contact with the complainant. She released him as long as he follows the conditions of the protection order.

A defendant was charged with simple assault on June 22. Judge Herrmann found probable cause, releasing the defendant on the condition that he does not violate a stay away order and appears for his next hearing. The judge said she released him because he does not pose a threat to the public.

A defendant was charged with attempts to do bodily harm and possession of a prohibited weapon. While Judge Herrmann found there is probable cause, she released him on personal recognizance citing that he is not a threat to the public. 

A defendant was charged with destruction of property. The prosecution had no objection to releasing him on a personal promise that he would return to court, so Judge Herrmann released him.

A defendant was charged with being a fugitive from Virginia because of a probation violation. Judge Herrmann released him, and though he now has an extradition hearing scheduled in DC, the judge advised that he turn himself in to Virginia authorities to resolve the matter.

A defendant was charged with assault. Because the prosecution did not contest, Judge Herrmann released him on the condition that he did not violate a stay away order from the complainant. 

A defendant was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The prosecution did not object to his release, therefore Judge Herrmann released him on a personal promise to appear at his next court appearance. 

A defendant was charged with assault. Judge Herrmann released him on the condition that he not violate a stay away order.

Likewise, a defendant was charged with assault, so Judge Herrmann released him on the condition that he not violate a protective order.

Another defendant charged with assault was released on the condition that he not assault or threaten the complainant.

A defendant was charged with assault and had a bench warrant out for her arrest. Judge Herrmann released the defendant from pretrial detention from all of her cases as the judge did not find her a threat to the public.

A defendant was charged with being a fugitive of Maryland. The prosecution did not oppose his release, so Judge Herrmann released him. Though he now has an extradition hearing scheduled in DC, the judge advised that he turn himself in to Virginia authorities to resolve the matter.

The prosecution did not object to the release of a defendant charged with threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property in a domestic violence case, so she was released by the judge with a stay-away order from the complainant and was also served with a temporary protection order in reference to the same individual.

A defendant charged with one count of misdemeanor sexual abuse for grabbing the behind of the alleged victim was released due to the prosecution’s willingness for release. The man was released with a stay-away order from the complainant and the 800 block of 14th St., NW.

The prosecution did not object to the release of a woman charged with one count of simple assault in a domestic violence case, so Judge Herrmann released her with a stay-away from the complainant and the 400 block of Orange St., SE.

A defendant, charged with assault with intent to commit robbery for allegedly punching a man on the metro and attempting to steal his sunglasses and bike, was released by Judge Herrman. 

The prosecution requested the defendant be placed on GPS supervision, but the judge denied the request citing the fact that there is no stay-away from a specific location and that there was no indication that the defendant would be incapable of abiding by the stay-away order from the complainant.

A defendant, charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, was released by Judge Herrmann because the defendant has no criminal history.

A defendant was charged with simple assault in a domestic violence case. The prosecution was not opposed to his release, so the judge released him with a no harassment order in regards to the complainant.

The prosecution did not oppose the release of a defendant charged with simple assault and one count of obstructing, preventing or interfering with reports to law enforcement in a domestic violence case. The defendant was released with stay-away orders from two individuals, the 5800 block of 14th St., NW and no harassment order for another individual.

A defendant was charged with tampering with his GPS device by failing to keep it charged while on probation. There was also a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear for his probation show cause hearing, which was related to the same GPS incident.

The defendant’s defense attorney was able to provide some context surrounding his circumstances. The defendant was kicked out of his house by his mother and was the victim of two different shootings. He was shot in his side in May and shot in his hip in the beginning of June.

He has been homeless since April, but the defense attorney explained that his mother has agreed to have him back home. Because of the extenuating circumstances, Judge Herrmann decided to release the defendant with instructions to report immediately to his probation officer.

A defendant charged with one count of kidnapping was released by Judge Herrmann with stay-away orders from the alleged victim and the 1100 block of 4th St., SW. The judge released him because the only conviction he has is a traffic offense from ten years ago.

A defendant, charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and second-degree theft, was released by Judge Herrmann as the prosecution did not object to his release. He was released with stay-away orders from the complainant and the 900 block of Madison St., NW.

A defendant was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly attempting to slit the throat of the complainant. The defense argued for release because the defendant is the primary caretaker of her nine-year old daughter and the defendant has a heart condition which caused her to have a stroke in October of 2019.

Judge Herrmann released the defendant on complete home confinement citing all of the information surrounding her family and her health.