Judge Rejects Domestic Violence Defendant’s Guilty Plea due to ‘Inappropriate Behavior’

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A DC Superior Court judge rejected a defendant’s guilty plea and vacated the hearing due to the defendant’s “inappropriate behavior” in the courtroom. 

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and contempt.

The March 5 hearing was intended for him to enter a guilty plea. 

After the prosecution read the proffer of facts and Judge James Crowell asked the defendant if he agreed with them, the defendant tried to interject new information. He went on to interrupt the judge as he tried to explain to him that this was not the time to offer new information and that they needed a “yes” or “no” answer from him. 

“[The defendant] is incapable of answering a direct question by the court, whether or not these facts are true, and has interrupted me several times,” said Judge Crowell. “I’m done.”

The defendant will remain at DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for March 25. 

This article was written by McKenzie Beard.