Judge Holds 7 Defendants During Initial Hearing Over Weekend

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 19, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann decided to hold seven defendants on Sept. 19. 

Three of the defendants, who missed prior court hearings, were held along with defendants who had pending cases, and a prior conviction. 

Jamal Calloway, 31, is charged with robbery after he allegedly stole money from a man in a wheelchair on U Street, NW. The prosecution revealed that Calloway has six pending misdemeanor cases, so Judge Herrmann held the defendant because he has proven himself to be a danger to the community. 

Judge Herrmann held Devon Wilson, 40, on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. After his car was towed, the defendant refused to pay for the service and brandished a gun at the tow truck driver. Wilson recently failed to appear in court for another case, which led the judge to her decision. 

Robert Mayweather is charged with being a fugitive from justice in Virginia, with an underlying charge of robbery. The defendant has three pending misdemeanor cases in DC, with charges of assault, second-degree theft and a BRA violation. Mayweather waived his right to an extradition hearing and Judge Herrmann chose to hold the defendant until authorities in Virginia retrieve him. 

James Bell, 51, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. On Sept. 18, the defendant allegedly stabbed two people with a double-bladed knife after they had confronted him about stealing materials. Judge Herrmann held the defendant after reviewing his prior record, which established a pattern of violence. 

Judge Herrmann held a male domestic violence defendant on charges of assault, unlawful entry of private property, destruction of property, contempt, and two outstanding bench-warrants. Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) confirmed that the defendant was a loss of contact in his two prior domestic violence cases. Judge Herrmann said that she fears for the safety of the complaining witness if she releases the defendant.

Theodore Boone III, 27, was held for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and for a large capacity ammunition feeding device. Judge Herrmann held the defendant due to his prior charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon in Maryland. 

A male defendant charged with two counts of misdemeanor sex abuse and, who also has an outstanding bench-warrant, was held for his underlying charges. He had another hearing at the DC Courthouse later that day. The judge of his second hearing decided to release him.  

Four defendants with domestic violence charges were released. Three of those defendants were given stay away orders, while one female defendant was ordered not to harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) the alleged victim. 

One male defendant is charged with carrying a rifle or shot-gun outside a home or business and was released against the request of the prosecution. The defendant lives in Georgia and fully cooperated with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers. 

A defendant is charged with being a fugitive from justice and was released by Judge Herrmann. He is ordered to go to Virginia to take care of the charge as a condition of release. 

Five defendants are charged with misdemeanors including tampering with GPS devices, attempted threats to kidnap or injure a person, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, assault and second-degree theft. Three of the defendants were given stay at way orders as a condition of release. One defendant was ordered to get a new GPS device, while the other defendant was given a no HATS order. 

Judge Herrmann released one male defendant on charges of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, property damage, and driving while impaired. As a condition of release, the defendant is not to drive without a valid license and to never drive after drinking or doing drugs.