Robbery Convict Gets Time to Think About Probation Termination

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 14, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued an Aug. 13 hearing to Sept. 23, so a defense attorney could discuss early termination of probation with his client. 

On July 3, 2019, Davon Boyd pleaded guilty to attempting to commit robbery for stealing merchandise from the store on the 100 block of Webster Street, NW. According to court documents, he also grabbed a cellphone from a store employee’s hand.

Boyd, 23, was sentenced to nine months, all of which were suspended, and 15 months of probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer said the defendant has been partially compliant with probation. 

The defendant was also charged with simple assault for allegedly pushing a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer as he was making an arrest on the 1300 block of Childress Street, NE on Jan. 22.

Boyd was shot on June 12 and has been suffering from a fractured hip. He can no longer walk and does not have access to a primary care physician, defense attorney Joseph Yarbough said.

Yarbough also said his client has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression since the shooting.

Judge Rainey Brandt suggested the defendant’s probation be terminated. She said the case being sealed from public view will not greatly benefit the defendant, who already has a conviction in Virginia.

“He could have easily lost his life,” Judge Brandt said. “All of his focus right now needs to be on being healthy again.”

Yarbough opposed the idea and requested his client have additional time to come into compliance with probation. “Any criminal conviction is another criminal conviction,” he said.

Boyd never tested positive for drugs, but he has missed three drug tests. 

On June 22, he was charged with GPS tampering for allegedly failing to charge his GPS device from March 14 to March 31 and April 22 to April 28. 

Yarbough said this is a result of the defendant’s family circumstances. He said Boyd has had problems with securing a steady place to live.