By D.C. Witness Staff - August 6, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On Aug. 5, a DC Superior Court judge rejected a defendant’s release request and scheduled a hearing to determine if his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Mark Chambliss, 25, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident that occurred on May 3 on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers found a victim on the scene suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper back. They also found Chambliss, who was shot in the leg.

Chambliss has been held in DC Jail since being charged on June 10.

Sellano Simmons, Chambliss’ attorney, argued for his client’s release, saying he was the victim of the offense.

Simmons said his client had his home searched three times as police investigated the incident, and that a firearm was never recovered. He also said his client cooperated with detectives’ investigation, even as they “kicked in” his door to search his home.

The prosecutor opposed Simmons’ request, arguing that the defendant is also involved in another case in which he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The other case also occurred on the same block.

Chambliss was indicted in that case on March 11 for two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license.

Judge John Campbell said Simmons’ arguments had been made before and that, regardless of how substantial the defense viewed the evidence against Chambliss, he is accused of two dangerous offenses. 

Chambliss is scheduled to appear again in court on Aug. 20 for his preliminary hearing.