Judge Holds Two, Releases Three Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

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On June 30, a DC Superior Court judge held two domestic violence defendants and released three during their initial hearings.

There were 19 defendants presented before the court in total, 10 of whom were released.

One of the domestic violence defendants who was held is charged with assault, possession of a controlled substance and stalking.

Judge Sean Staples said his decision to hold the defendant was based on his alleged continuous violation of a stay away order from a previous case. Judge Staples reinstated the stay away order and scheduled the defendant to return to court on July 20.

The other domestic violence defendant, who was also held, is charged with attempted second-degree cruelty to children, simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and obstructing, preventing, or interfering with reports or requests for assistance from law enforcement.

Judge Staples released a defendant on her domestic violence charges with a No Harassment, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) order. However, the defendant will be held until July 6, so that she can be taken to Virginia to resolve other charges.

Three other domestic violence defendants were released. They were all charged with simple assault and given stay away orders.

Judge Staples scheduled the held defendants to return to court on July 20 and 21. He scheduled the released defendants to return on Oct. 27.

Will Lawrence and Asiadee Williams wrote this article.