Judge Holds 9 Defendants, Releases 17 During Presentments

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 25, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna held nine defendants and released 17 defendants during initial hearings on Nov. 25. 

Stephon Yates, 24, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed as well as assault with a dangerous weapon after being arrested for stabbing a woman 29 times in her apartment. 

Yates’ acting defense attorney argued that the arrest warrant affidavit was based solely on the statements of the victim. She also said the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) could not offer any evidence to corroborate the victim’s claims.

The attorney requested enrollment in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) would better serve her client and pose no risk to the victim. 

The prosecution disagreed, arguing in favor of detaining Yates because of the violent nature of the crime and the allegation that he fled the scene after the crime only to be arrested five days later.  

Judge McKenna decided to hold Yates as well as issue a stay-away order from the victim.

Jamelia Washington, 39, appeared before the court in four separate cases. Judge McKenna held her on a parole violation but released her on a fugitive from Virginia case as well as bench warrant matters for failing to appear at her hearings. 

Judge McKenna held Jamal Rivas on a parole violation. Rivas, 24, was also brought before the court with new charges of possession of liquid PCP and failing to charge his GPS device. He was released on his two new cases.

Malcolm Brown was held in two cases. He is charged as a fugitive from Maryland, where he is wanted for burglary. He is also charged with second-degree burglary in DC. Judge McKenna decided to hold Brown, 26, since he has incurred six cases in six months.  

Judge McKenna held Zachary O’Connor, a fugitive from Virginia, on two separate charges of larceny and aggravated assault. Given the violent nature of the aggravated assault, Judge McKenna gave O’Connor the choice between waiting in DC Jail for three days until the demanding jurisdiction collects him or scheduling a hearing sometime in January. Either way, Judge McKenna said he would be held.  

O’Connor opted to waive his extradition hearing, so Virginia authorities have three business days to retrieve him. 

Judge McKenna granted the prosecution’s request to hold Everett Hayes, Jr. Hayes, 49, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Hayes was just released from incarceration on Nov. 5, so the judge decided he should be held. 

Jude McKenna held Kharris Akinola who had two bench warrants issued against him for pretrial and probation violations. Akinola, 18, is charged with second-degree burglary and carrying a pistol without a license in his underlying cases. Judge McKenna said she is holding Akinola because of “blatant non-compliance with pretrial and supervision.”

Jahru Gathers is wanted for homicide in Maryland. Gathers waived his right to an extradition hearing, opting to be held in DC Jail for Maryland authorities to pick him up. 

Finally, Keonta White was held on charges of contempt, unlawful entry and destruction of property of $1000 or more. White, 26, was also involved in a similar case with the same complainants in 2019, which is why Judge McKenna decided to hold him.

After Judge McKenna decided to hold him, White attempted to argue against her decision. He said that he has checked in with the Pretrial Release Agency (PSA). However, Judge McKenna assured him she considered all aspects of his circumstances. 

Of the 17 defendants that Judge McKenna released, four were charged in domestic violence cases. All four are charged with simple assault while two have additional charges of attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, respectively. They were all given stay-away orders as part of their pretrial release conditions.

Judge McKenna released eight defendants who are charged with felonies. The majority of the charges involved either distribution of controlled substances or possession of firearms. Three of the defendants were given stay-away orders, while the rest were ordered to check in with PSA once a month.

Three defendants charged with misdemeanors were released, and one defendant brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing was also released.

One final defendant charged with being a fugitive from Virginia was released with orders to turn herself in to the appropriate jurisdiction’s authorities.

Finally, one defendant, who is in the hospital, had their hearing continued to Nov. 26.