Judge Holds Six Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 6, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

During initial hearings on Nov. 5, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released five defendants and held six defendants in DC Jail.

Josh Fenner is a fugitive from justice in the state of Maryland, with an underlying charge of homicide. Given the nature of the charge, Fenner was given the option to be held in the DC Jail until an extradition hearing could be held in January, or to waive his right to an extradition hearing and be picked up by Maryland authorities.

He chose to have Maryland authorities pick him up within three business days to pick him up.

Javon Barnes, 22, is charged with armed robbery in connection to a robbery that occurred on the 900 block of L’Enfant Plaza, SW on Nov. 4.

The victim called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and reported that two men robbed him at knife point inside the L’Enfant metro station. Police were able to canvas the area and arrested Barnes, who was found to be in possession of several of the stolen items, including $20, a phone charger and an EBT card with the victim’s name.

He is being held due to the violent nature of the offense. 

Wayne Jones is charged with simple assault and second-degree theft. The simple assault charge is in conjunction to an event that occured on Oct. 8 on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, where a detention facility is located. Jones, 25, allegedly grew angry with a corporal officer and poured an unknown substance suggested to be feces on him. 

The theft charge is for an incident that occurred on Nov. 4, when an MPD officer was waved down for a shoplifting offense in progress.

The officer went inside a CVS, located on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, and observed Jones walking out with several items that were not paid for. The officer also discovered that Jones had been previously barred from entering the store.

Jones is being held due to the theft charge being a violation of his parole. 

Giselle Hartzog is charged with robbery for an event that occurred May 24, 2019, on the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The victim alleged that Hartzog, 31, stole the victim’s keys out of her hand, unlocked her car and then fled the scene. MPD officers found Hartzog soon after on the 1100 block of S Street, SE. The defendant was initially released but failed to appear for her felony arraignment and a bench warrant was issued.

She is being held due to Judge Herrmann believing the defendant is a potential flight risk. 

A 37-year-old defendant was held in a first-degree sexual abuse and kidnapping case where he allegedly threatened to kill, kidnapped and tried to rape his victim.

He is being held due to the nature of his crime and the fact that there have been previous domestic violence cases filed by the victim against the defendant. 

Another defendant is being held in a domestic violence case with underlying charges of simple assault and attempted second-degree cruelty to children.

He is being held due to past instances of disregarding court orders. A stay away order was also granted by Judge Herrmann. 

Judge Herrmann saw two additional defendants charged in misdemeanor cases with charges of simple assault, attempt to possession of a prohibited weapon and contempt. Both defendants were released and one was given a stay away order. 

One defendant was released on a fugitive matter, where he is a fugitive from justice in the state of Virginia. The defendant was told to report to the demanding jurisdiction as soon as possible. 

Another defendant was released in a domestic violence case with underlying charges of simple assault and destruction of property worth less than $1,000. The defendant was released with a stay away order.

Adefendant was released in a felony matter for carrying a pistol without a license and carrying a weapon outside a home or business. 

Two other defendants are still in the hospital, so their hearings were moved to Nov. 6.

This article was written by Abigail Grifno