Judge Waits to Rule on Assault Defendant’s Release

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DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell told parties he would decide on a defendant’s release by the end of the week, saying he needs more time before he can confidently make a ruling.

Buiam Yeshigeta is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and second-degree theft. He is charged in two misdemeanor cases from this year.

Yeshigeta has been held in DC Jail since March 10. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yeshigeta’s hearings have been rescheduled multiple times.

Defense attorney Jamison Koehler requested that his client be released and connected with outpatient mental health services. Koehler cited many factual issues with the case, saying that a victim in one of the cases was intoxicated. Koehler also said an altercation, in another case, was perpetrated by both the victim and the defendant.

The lawyer also said Yeshigeta does not have another hearing for his cases until Oct. 9, emphasizing that the defendant would be held for eight months on unproven misdemeanor allegations.

Koehler the jail has not provided the defendant with the medications needed for his schizophrenia diagnosis.

Yeshigeta’s mother and sister, who he has a supportive relationship with, said they would be willing to take him to psychiatric appointments.

However, the prosecution said Yeshigeta should be held, citing the violent nature of the charges and the injuries one of the victims obtained.

The prosecution also pointed out that Yeshigeta was on probation for attempted possession of a prohibited weapon at the time of the incident.

Judge Crowell said Yeshigeta has troubling allegations against him, but the case will likely not be tried in the near future due to COVID-19.

Judge Crowell proposed the idea of eventually releasing Yeshigeta under home confinement as part of the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). He would only be able to leave his residence for psychiatric appointments.

However, Judge Crowell said he didn’t feel like he could make a decision during the hearing. He told both parties that he would make a decision by the end of this week.