Judge Holds 3 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 14, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge held three defendants and released 21 during initial hearings on Nov. 13.  

Juwan Chase, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury for offenses he committed on Aug. 19, 2019. 

Chase allegedly brandished a knife when he was confronted by an employee for stealing a Red Bull from a CVS Pharmacy on the 5300 block of Wisconsin Ave, NW. After Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers left the scene, Chase allegedly returned to the store and repeatedly assaulted the victim. The victim suffered a dislocated shoulder from the attack. 

Judge Judith Pipe ordered that the defendant be held for the safety of the community since Chase was previously convicted of armed robbery this year.  

A male domestic violence defendant is being held for simple assault by Judge Pipe. The defendant is currently on probation for another domestic violence case in which the victim is the same as in this new case. 

Civilians allegedly had to pull the defendant off of the victim during the assault in order to save her. 

Judge Pipe said she is concerned for the victim’s safety, especially since the defendant was sentenced in his last case in October, and it has only taken him one month to reoffend. 

Haley Biser is a fugitive from Maryland, with underlying charges of robbery and a probation violation for a weapon possession conviction. 

Judge Pipe decided to hold her on both of the fugitive cases due to the seriousness of the charges. Biser waived her right to an extradition hearing in DC, and she will be held for three business days so Maryland can come and collect her. 

Judge Pipe released four defendants with fugitive charges, so that they can go to either Maryland or Virginia to take care of their warrants. The fugitives have underlying charges of arson, larceny and probation violations. 

One felony defendant was released for first-degree theft on the condition that they comply with pretrial conditions and report for mental health treatment. 

Four defendants were released on firearm charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and unlawful possession of ammunition. 

Judge Pipe also chose to release three traffic defendants as well, who were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a license. 

One of the traffic defendants asked to be put in DC Jail and when he was told his court date, he announced that he will be dead by then. He was released without further comment from Judge Pipe. 

Four defendants were arrested due to outstanding warrants for failing to appear for their court dates. All five were released and told to report back to their pretrial or probation case managers. 

Four misdemeanor defendants were released on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, no permit and leaving after colliding, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and tampering with a GPS monitoring device. One defendant was ordered to stay away from the victim and their place of residence. 

One of the misdemeanor defendants is also charged with a traffic offense for a DUI and operating a vehicle while impaired. He was ordered to have a drug and alcohol assessment done by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

One domestic violence defendant is charged with simple assault and was also released. They were given an order not to harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) the victim. 

A defendant’s presentment will also continue to the Nov. 14 schedule, since the defendant is at a local hospital. 

This article was written by Sierra Robbins.