Judge Finds Probable Cause for Assault Case, Defendant Held

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 21, 2020
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DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond decided that an assault case has enough evidence to go to trial and held the defendant. 

Mark Chambliss turned himself into the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)  on June 10 following an armed assault on May 10 in the 4600 block of Hillside Road and the 4700 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Chambliss did not know the victim. The defendant, 25, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

The prosecution called one witness, a detective, during the Aug. 20 preliminary hearing.

Defense attorney Sellano Simmons asked Judge Raymond to release his client from DC jail while he awaits his grand jury trial because of the ongoing pandemic. Simmons said Chambliss no longer lives in the area that the assault occurred and safety of the community can be reasonably ensured. 

The prosecutor opposed the release request, saying there was no evidence of Chambliss being vulnerable to COVID-19. The prosecution also said Chambliss has another pending charge for assault with a deadly weapon and the current case occurred while Chambliss was out on release for the previous charge. 

Judge Raymond denied the release request, saying the safety of the community cannot be ensured. 

Chambliss is pending a grand jury in the case. His next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21.