Judge Holds 4 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 8, 2021
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

During initial hearings on Feb. 5, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond heard a total of 16 defendants, six of which were domestic violence cases.

Of the six domestic violence cases that were presented before the judge, four were held at the DC jail.

The first defendant to be held by the judge is charged with simple assault. The defendant, a 64-year-old male, is alleged to have pushed the complainant down the stairs and repeatedly punched her in the face. 

Due to the seriousness of the allegations and the judge’s concern that the defendant would not be able to follow court orders if released, Judge Raymond held the defendant at the jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 12.

The second defendant, who is also being held, is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstruction of justice.

Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant because he has a pending case and is on probation in a case involving the same complaining witness. The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23.

The third defendant, a 22-year-old male, is charged with simple assault, destruction of property and contempt.

The defendant was brought in on two bench warrants for domestic violence cases in which he failed to appear in court. He was also charged with a bail violation. Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant because of the amount of cases he had and the defendant’s failure to appear in court for those cases. He will be held until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 23.

The final defendant, who is being held, is charged with a bail violation and simple assault.

He was also brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at a hearing in 2015 for another domestic violence case. The two cases involve the same alleged victim, so Judge Raymond decided to hold the defendant. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8.

]Judge Raymond released two defendants who are charged with simple assault. The defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims and ordered to return to court on July 9.