Judge Allows Motion for Release to Continue

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 10, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects |

After hearing about new potential release conditions, a DC Superior Court judge allowed a motion for a defendant’s release to move forward.

Joenathan Nelson is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. He is currently on probation for burglary, attempted threats to do bodily harm and a misdemeanor case for fleeing . He has two other cases against him for domestic violence.

Quo Mieko Judkins, Nelson’s attorney, recently filed a motion for Nelson’s release. She requested that her client be put in home confinement, where he will be monitored around the clock for his autism and bipolar disorder.

 She also mentioned that the victim in the domestic violence cases is committed to Nelson’s rehabilitation and has made arrangements for them to go to therapy together. 

Judkins said Nelson’s switch to a more intensive pretrial monitoring agency would allow him to be released safely. Judkins also said Nelson can be successfully rehabilitated if he is enrolled in Community Connections, an agency where he will be assigned a team to provide all day mental health services.

Nelson has been held in DC Jail for 64 days, which is the longest amount of time he has been incarcerated. Judkins said the defendant now knows what it means if he does not comply with court orders. The lawyer described the conditions in the jail as “deplorable.”

Judkins said she emailed Nelson’s warden to request that conditions be improved.

However, the prosecution said Nelson has been on GPS monitoring before and was on GPS monitoring when he was most recently arrested. 

Judge Julie Becker allowed the release motion to be scheduled for a bond review hearing, during which another judge would decide whether or not Nelson can be released safely.

Judge Becker said that, while Nelson would have more mental health services available, she hopes the presiding judge truly evaluates whether release would be impactful.

The motion is scheduled for further consideration on July 15.