Judge Issues 3 Bench Warrants During Pretrial, Probation Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 29, 2020
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A DC Superior Court judge presided over ten pretrial show cause hearings on Sept. 29.

Judge Gerald Fisher withdrew a show cause hearing for a murder defendant.

Tristian Cole is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 24-year-old Joel Midgett on the 200 block of K Street, NW in Oct. 2015. 

Cole, 29, was charged in November 2019. He was granted pretrial release during a preliminary hearing the following February, at which time Judge Todd Edelman ruled that his case had enough evidence to go to trial. 

Judge Fisher told Cole to get in compliance during his last pretrial show cause hearing. According to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), Cole has been reporting to them regularly.

Judge Fisher advised Cole to keep staying in compliance with her conditions. Cole’s next hearing is on Feb. 12, 2021.

Judge Fisher also issued bench warrants for the arrests of John Mulcahy, Lamont Brown and Travis Haney. 

Mulcahy, 62, is charged with unlawful entry onto private property and attempted threats to do bodily harm in two cases. 

He also does not have a verifiable address because he is homeless.

Mulcahy’s attorney, Anthony Viviani, has not been able to contact his client. 

Brown, 47, is charged with simple assault for allegedly kicking a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer on the side of his head back on May 27 on the 1800 Block of Corcoran Street, NE. 

The PSA representative said the agency has not heard from Brown since late June. They also don’t have a verifiable address or phone number for him. 

Brown’s attorney, Steven Ogilvie, has also not been able to contact his client.

Hayney, 32, is charged with the distribution of PCP. 

Like with the other bench warrant defendants, Haynes has not been in contact with the PSA. Haynes’ attorney, Mani Golzari, has also not been able to contact his client either.  

Judge Fisher continued a case for another defendant in order for him to get notice to come to court by his mental health provider.

Robert Taylor is charged with unlawful entry onto private property, second-degree theft, possession of an open container of alcohol/public intoxication and a bail violation in three different cases.

According to the PSA, Taylor, 54, has not been in compliance with his release conditions. However, the PSA recommended that the case be continued to see if Taylor gets in contact with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, so they can get a hold of him.

Judge Fisher granted the requested and scheduled Taylor’s next hearing for Oct. 19.

Judge Fisher continued a pretrial show cause hearing for a burglary defendant who did not receive notice for his court date.

Antoine Jackson, 25, is charged with second-degree burglary. 

Jackson did not show up to his hearing. Defense attorney Jeffrey Stein said his client may not have received notice for his hearing as he was re-arrested on Sept. 17 and released on Sept. 22. 

Judge Fisher granted Stein’s request and scheduled Jackson’s next hearing for Oct. 20.

Judge Fisher withdrew a show cause hearing for a weapon possession defendant.

Deshawn Loggins is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, possession of a registered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

Loggins showed up late to his hearing, which caused the case to be recalled. 

According to the PSA, Loggins has begun to come into compliance with his release conditions. 

Judge Fisher advised Loggins to remain in compliance. His next hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2021.

Judge Fisher continued a hearing for a robbery defendant.

Rashaun Onley was serving one year of probation for attempting to commit robbery.  However, he will be re-sentenced after violating his probation by getting re-arrested.

According to the PSA, Onley has been in compliance with his release conditions since his last hearing earlier this month.  

Onley is currently under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP,) but has employment lined up for once he is released from home confinement, his defense attorney, Amy Phillips, said. 

Onley is scheduled to be re-sentenced on Feb. 4, 2021.

A drug and weapon possession defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing was vacated. 

Emanuel Sartor is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

According to court documents, Sartor’s hearing was vacated without objection from the prosecution. Sartor has been in full compliance with his conditions and is currently experiencing some health struggles. 

Sartor’s next hearing is scheduled for March 30, 2021.

Judge Fisher continued a hearing for a defendant who did not receive a notice to show up to court.

Jeremiah Hawkins is charged with simple assault and threats to do bodily harm.

Hawkins, 25, was present over audio after being contacted by his lawyer, Sellano Simmons. 

According to the PSA, Hawkins does not have a verifiable address on record. 

Judge Fisher ordered Hawkins to verify an address with the PSA within the next 48 hours and begin reporting to them immediately.  

Judge Fisher scheduled Hawkins’ next hearing for Oct. 30. 

Judge Fisher also extended a defendant’s probation to give him time to satisfy all his conditions. 

Khalil Ball is serving nine months of probation for operating a vehicle while impaired. His probation conditions include completing a traffic safety program, a traffic alcohol program and a victim impact panel, which gives people affected by impaired driving or underage drinking an opportunity to speak about their experiences. These conditions were to be completed by Sept. 20.

According to Ball’s attorney, Albert Amissah, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ball has faced many stumbling blocks that have made it difficult to complete these programs. 

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) representative was present at the hearing and said that Ball, 30, has recently registered for the victim impact panel. 

Judge Fisher chose to extend Ball’s probation until Dec. 21. He also scheduled a Dec. 14 show cause hearing that can be vacated if Ball has finished his requirements by then. 

Judge Fisher continued an assault defendant’s hearing to give him time to consult with his lawyer. 

Durell Campbell is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery.

According to the PSA, Campbell, 30, has not been in compliance with his conditions. He has allegedly tampered with his GPS device and has not gotten it re-installed.

Campbell, who was in court, wanted to speak with his lawyer, Dinah Manning. However, he did not have a phone and all court phones were being occupied.

Judge Fisher chose to reschedule the hearing for Oct. 1 to give the defendant time to speak to his attorney.