Judge Holds Five Defendants at Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 29, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 28, DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur held at least five defendants and released at least 10 defendants during initial hearings. 

Judge Arthur held Henke Lima on a felony robbery charge. Judge Arthur noted Lima had a pending case involving a misdemeanor charge for possession of a controlled substance.  

Lima, 30, requested to represent himself during the proceedings, but Judge Arthur denied that request. He told the defendant the request could be addressed at the next hearing. 

Romeo Ramirez was held in a fugitive matter stemming from an armed carjacking charge in Maryland. Ramirez waived his right to an extradition hearing agreeing to be held for three business days so that Maryland authorities could pick him up from the DC Jail. 

Another fugitive defendant, Vincent Alston, waived his right to an extradition hearing, opting to be held for Maryland authorities to retrieve him. He is wanted in connection with a first-degree assault case.

Judge Arthur decided to hold Orlando Johnson on an unlawful firearm possession charge with a prior conviction. According to court documents, Johnson, 37, was searched by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers after reporting a stolen vehicle. The officers found a handgun on his person, and he was arrested. 

Delonta Hawkins was held after Judge Arthur found probable cause. Hawkins, 38, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Hawkins is accused of shooting the victim in the back, which the prosecution argued was clear intent to kill. Court documents state Hawkins told the victim “I should kill you,” after initially shooting her. 

Of those who were released, seven have misdemeanor charges and three have domestic violence misdemeanor charges. One defendant was released with a weapons possession charge. A final defendant was released on personal recognizance to deal with a fugitive matter in Maryland. 

The misdemeanor charges included GPS tampering, drug possession, assault, weapons possession and destruction of property. All of these defendants were released on various conditions which included checking in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and stay-away or no-contact orders. 

The domestic violence charges included misdemeanor sexual abuse, sexual assault and assault. All the defendants were released with stay-away orders. If violated, they could be charged with contempt of court. 

Additionally, the court dismissed another fugitive matter as well as continued a case because the defendant is still in the hospital. 

This article was written by Maria Marzullo.