The defendant in a stabbing case was forcibly removed from the courtroom by US Marshals on July 8, after pleading he didn’t want to go back to the DC Jail due to poor conditions and safety concerns at the facility. The case was heard before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum.
Aaren Striplin, 43, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for a stabbing that occurred on the 900 block of G Street, NW. on Jul. 4, 2025.
The victim was found with piercing wounds and pepper spray injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Striplin, who had no fixed address, was arrested after he was allegedly found with a knife and pepper spray, used in the attack.
Striplin’s attorney, Adgie O’Bryant, was adamant about getting Striplin released before setting dates for any further hearings. He said that Striplin had asthma and the heat combined with the lack of air conditioning in the jail made it hard for him to breathe.
“This is a matter of life and death,” he said, in a plea to Judge Hildum.
However, Judge Hildum said that he would not release Striplin prior to a preliminary hearing based on the evidence.
O’Bryant asked to expedite the matter.
“Please! Your honour.” said Striplin, cutting in. “They were killing me up in there judge,” he added, referring to the conditions at the jail.
Hildum recalled the case for later in the morning.
When the parties returned, Judge Hildum asked for a mental evaluation for Striplin, prior to a preliminary hearing. He said that they would need the results to proceed,
Then, Striplin rose from his chair and began shouting, pleading for release.
“Help me! They are suffocating me! Please,”he yelled!
Hildum said he had heard enough and ordered two U.S. Marshals to remove Striplin from the courtroom. Striplin fell to the ground and continued to shout and cry out as the marshals took him away.
“I…want to note for the record that the marshals gently removed him from the courtroom,” said the judge as he recommended Striplin be transferred to a facility with better air conditioning.
The parties are slated to reconvene on July 11.
