Judge Issues Bench Warrant During Probation, Pretrial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 24, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge continued hearings, issued a bench warrant and terminated a defendant’s probation during pretrial and probation hearings on Sept. 22.

Judge Julie Becker Issues a bench warrant for Marquis Hicks after he failed to appear in court. 

Hicks is on probation for conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery while armed for an offence that occurred in 2010. 

Hicks’ attorney, April Downs, said she had not had any contact with the defendant. Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) has also been unable to contact Hicks since late July. 

Judge Becker sentenced Davon Childs to 30 days plus one day of supervised release, for bail violations.

Childs, 33, was on supervised release for carrying a pistol without a license in 2015. 

According to CSOSA, Childs had been a loss of contact since August. 

Defense attorney Bruce Cooper asked for Childs’ release, arguing that the defendant’s probation was about to expire anyway.

The prosecutor requested a probation revocation and 60 days because of Childs’ history of failing to comply and failing to appear in court. Childs had failed to appear in court three times and had been brought in on three separate bench warrants. 

Judge Becker continued a burglary defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing after he fell out of compliance from May 27 to Sept. 17. The defendant’s GPS monitoring device was also turned off for unknown reasons.

Kareem Watkins, 43, is charged with first-degree burglary for taking property from a residence in DC. Watkins, a resident of Riverdale MD, was arrested on Jan. 31. 

Judge Becker scheduled two hearings for Watkins, including a review hearing on Sept. 23, to make sure the defendant has a new GPS monitor installed and a new pretrial show cause hearing for Oct. 9. 

Judge Becker discharged another defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing.

Matthew Russell, 50, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. The defendant did not appear in court because he is currently in a mental health treatment program.

Russell’s attorney, Andrew Ain, said he is currently homeless and has no address, making it impossible for him to verify his address. Pretrial Service Agency (PSA) said Russell has been contacting them by phone. 

Russell’s next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21.

Judge Becker continued another pretrial show cause hearing for a defendant charged with possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Garvanni McGriff, 30, did not appear in court. According to PSA, the defendant had been a loss of contact from Aug. 21 to Sept. 17. 

Since McGriff had come back into compliance, Judge Becker chose to continue his case on Oct. 6. 

Judge Becker continued a pretrial show cause hearing for an assault defendant.

Lawrence Brown, 53, is charged with assault for a stabbing on the 3600 block of 14th Street, NW, on May 31.

According to PSA, Brown had never contacted the agency by phone. 

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller said Brown’s phone had been turned off for several months but had just been turned back on. 

Judge Becker ordered Brown to report to PSA in-person once, then report by phone every week. 

Brown’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8. 

Judge Becker continued a pretrial show cause hearing for a defendant charged with possession with intent to distribute PCP, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, attempted possession with intent to distribute Cocaine and a bail violation, in three separate cases. 

Paul Nunnally, 27, has violated his home confinement order 17 times since he was released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) 

Nunnally’s attorney, Elizabeth Weller said her client has had trouble staying on home confinement in the past but hasn’t had any violations in the last month. 

Judge Becker told the defendant to stay at home, charge his GPS monitor and check in with PSA every wednesday. Nunnally’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19.

Judge Becker continued an assault defendant’s probation show cause hearing in order for him to receive in-patient drug treatment. 

Amadu Fomah, 33, was charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and threatening to kidnap or injure a person in 2018. 

Since Fomah is currently receiving treatment, Judge Becker scheduled a new show cause hearing date for Nov. 24. 

Judge Becker continued a probation show cause hearing for a firearm defendant. 

Robert Brandon, 20, was charged with carrying a pistol outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle and driving without a permit. 

Brandon has complied with all of his release conditions. 

His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 17.