Assault Case Continued to September

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 3, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for an assault defendant.

David Dowdell is charged with simple assault, assault on a police officer and threats to do bodily harm in two cases. 

Dowdell was not present for his Aug. 3 hearing. A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said he has not made contact with the agency. 

Defense attorney Gregg Baron told Judge Jonathan Pittman that he reached out to shelters to see if his client was at any of them, but was told that the shelters typically don’t give that information over the phone.

The prosecution reiterated that they were not interested in holding Dowdell because he is not considered to be dangerous.

Dowdell was found mentally incompetent to stand trial on July 20. He was released to receive outpatient mental health services; however, those services are not currently available.

The judge and counsel acknowledged that they would have to figure out another way to get Dowdell mental health services.

Judge Pittman scheduled a hearing for Sept. 16.

Dowdell is accused of assaulting a victim on March 14 on the 700 block of 15th Street, NW. He also allegedly spit on and threatened to “execute” a police officer on July 9 on the 700 block of 15th Street, NW.