On Oct. 2, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant for an assault that happened on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority train system.
Marcus Proctor pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury in March, just under one month after the charge was filed against him. According to court documents, the defendant approached a victim on Feb. 6 on the metro rail at Congress Heights and punched him. After a brief exchange of punches, Proctor bit a significant portion of the victim’s top lip off.
“It affects me as far as I go places,” the victim said in an impact statement. “I get real nervous. It does bother me. It bothers me a lot”.
The victim said even looking in the mirror was difficult for him, since the assault altered his appearance. The victim is also forced to take the same train that he was assaulted on, as it’s the only line near his residence.
Proctor, 31, read an apology statement before he received his sentence.
“A million apologies will never fix what happened, but please know that I understand what I did was wrong,” he said.
Proctor’s attorney, Sean Murphy, spoke to the hardships Proctor faced with his chronic homlessness and his attempts to find gainful employment. Proctor asked that the judge give him jail time so that he can receive the social services that he needed, such as mental health counseling.
Judge Julie Becker sentenced Proctor to two years in prison, but suspended half of the sentence. Since he is receiving credit for time served, he will be released in four months.
One he is released, Proctor will be under supervision for two years. He must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund.
Judge Becker also granted the prosecution’s request for a stay away order from the victim.
