Domestic Violence Defendant Takes Plea Deal

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 15, 2020
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On July 14, DC Superior Court Judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant. 

The defendant pleaded guilty to simple assault and violating a Temporary Protective Order (TPO). 

As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, his charge of simple assault, which he received in a separate domestic violence case, was dropped. The prosecution also agreed to not file any other charges against the defendant for an incident that occurred on May 9.

Judge John McCabe sentenced the defendant to 120 days in jail. The incarceration time was suspended. The defendant was given one year of probation with credit for time served.

As conditions of his probation, the defendant must comply with a stay away order, participate in a domestic violence intervention program and receive drug, alcohol and mental health assessments.

The victim filed for a Civil Protective Order (CPO) against the defendant. She said she wants him ordered to stay away from her, her children and the places they may frequent, such as the defendant’s place of work or her children’s schools.  

“It concerns me that he will not be able to be tracked, and I will be on the receiving end of his violence,” the victim wrote in a statement read by the prosecution.

A hearing is scheduled for July 15 to discuss the terms of the CPO.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller asked Judge McCabe to cut the defendant’s suspended sentence and probationary period in half, saying her client took very early responsibility for his actions and has successfully completed supervised release before. She also said the defendant understands the seriousness of his separation with the victim. The ex-couple have broken up and gotten back together multiple times in the past. 

“I have been praying to God ever since the incident happened to forgive me,” the defendant said.

The defendant was charged with simple assault and violating a CPO for visiting the complainant’s place of work and throwing an unidentifiable liquid on her. The latter charge was later changed to violating a TPO.