A DC Superior Court judge cancelled a hearing to determine if a sex abuse case has enough evidence to go to trial after learning that parties are currently negotiating a potential plea deal.
The defendant is charged with first-degree sex abuse while armed for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, retrieving both a knife and a handgun in the process, on Feb. 15 in a residence on the 1500 block of F Street, NE.
During the Aug. 24 hearing, parties said the prosecution has extended a plea offer, which they are currently in the process of negotiating.
“I think there’s a good chance we’ll work a resolution out,” said defense attorney Jason Tulley.
Judge Neal Kravitz cancelled the preliminary hearing that was previously scheduled for Aug. 27 to give parties time to see if they can resolve the case with a plea deal.
The prosecution agreed not to indict the 28-year-old defendant before a preliminary hearing is set. In return, the defense agreed not to claim that the prosecution violated any of the defendant’s rights by holding off on the indictment.
Judge Kravitz scheduled parties to reconvene for a felony status conference on Sept. 8. In the meantime, the defendant will remain held at DC Jail.
