Judge Holds 8 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 17, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond held eight defendants, issued one bench warrant and released 30 defendants during initial hearings on Nov. 16.

Nijinsky Dix, 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 44-year-old Terry Hickman on the 1000 block of 4th Street, SW on Nov. 14. According to court documents, Dix, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, allegedly went to her former boyfriend’s apartment and shot him multiple times. “He pushed me, and I shot him,” Dix allegedly said during a phone call with her mother. 

“My client has no criminal record, she has an advanced degree, she is not a flight risk and is willing to stay away from DC,” defense attorney Martinis Jackson said, asking for his client to be released.  

But, Judge Raymond held the defendant due to the serious nature of the crime. 

Dedan Williams, 49, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing death of 38-year-old Andrew Tillman on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW on Nov. 15. The defendant allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with the victim in the stairwell of his apartment. Security cameras outside the apartment allegedly show Tillman running out of the stairwell before Williams catches him and stabs him several times. 

Judge Raymond found probable cause and held the defendant.

“There is significant evidence here, and the thing that tips the balance is the video,” Judge Raymond said. “I am granting the government’s hold request, I find significantly more than probable cause.” 

Judge Raymond also held four defendants who are charged with simple assault, including:  

Robert Jones, 41, is charged with simple assault and shoplifting. According to court documents, on Nov. 13, Jones allegedly took property from a CVS Pharmacy on the 5500 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW and threatened the workers with what they said they believed was a firearm. However, when Jones was arrested, no firearm was found. 

Jones also has four bench warrants with underlying contempt and theft charges. 

“It appears that every two weeks or so, there has been a new case, for the last three months,” Judge Raymond said. “In the more recent cases, there are actual assaults.”

A defendant was held for simple assault in a domestic violence case. 

“There is significant evidence that if I released him, no conditions could ensure the safety of the victim,” Judge Raymond said during the hearing. 

Judge Raymond was prepared to release another defendant charged with simple assault in a domestic violence case, but ended up holding her.

Judge Raymond asked the defendant if she could stay away from the victim and the victim’s home.

But, the defendant said she couldn’t stay away from the location because she works there.

“Because the defendant indicated that she can’t stay away from the victim, I find that no condition or combination of conditions can ensure the safety of the community,” Judge Raymond said.

James Boddie, 29, is charged with simple assault, possession of a controlled substance and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. The defendant allegedly engaged in a physical altercation on the 600 block of G Street, SE on Nov. 15. The altercation escalated and Boddie reportedly stabbed the victim. 

Judge Raymond released Boddie on the new case but held him on an existing parole violation. 

Delante Hardy, 25, is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Hardy allegedly tried to rob a victim on the 2900 block of Malcolm X Avenue, SE on Nov. 15. 

Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant due to the serious nature of the offense and because Hardy is on supervised release in an armed robbery case. 

Judge Raymond also held Ethan Cunningham, 18, who is charged with assaulting a police officer. Cunningham allegedly punched a police officer while he was on recreational time in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ (DYRS) custody. 

Judge Raymond released Cunningham in this case, but he is held in another pending case. 

A bench warrant was issued for Noah Abdullah’s arrest after he failed to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) to have a GPS monitor installed. Abdullah, 37, has underlying charges of second-degree theft and unlawful entry onto private property in his pending cases. 

Judge Raymond released eight defendants who are charged with carrying a pistol without a license and other weapons possession charges.

Of these defendants, six were not DC residents, in which they were ordered to leave DC and not come back unless it is related to their case. 

A defendant charged with carrying a pistol without a license on Nov. 14 was found with more than 550 rounds of ammunition. The defendant was released and ordered to go back to his home state of South Carolina. 

Judge Raymond released another four felony defendants with charges including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, second-degree burglary, robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. 

Judge Raymond also released 18 defendants who are charged with various misdemeanors. Their charges include unlawful entry onto private property, attempted threats to do bodily harm, second-degree theft, violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, destruction of property less than $1,000, second-degree cruelty to children, disorderly conduct, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance. 

John Sullivan wrote this article