Attorney Claims Defendant’s Constitutional Rights Were Violated

By McKenna Bryant , Anthoine Godin - March 27, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On March 27, a defendant’s motion for release on constitutional grounds was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun during an ascertainment of counsel hearing

George Sydnor, 43, is charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed that was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release, burglary while armed offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release, and one count of kidnapping while armed offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel offenses committed during release, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that killed 31-year-old Christy Bautista on March 31, at a hotel on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the victim was stabbed more than twenty times.

During the hearing,  Syndor’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, said the District of Columbia Department of Corrections (DOC) needs to apologize to Sydnor and court staff.

Winograd told Judge Okun he was denied visitation with Sydnor on March 26. Winograd had attempted to speak with Sydnor after a hearing, but was allegedly told by a DOC officer that Sydnor refused to meet with him, and stated, “No, I’m good. I fired my lawyer. I don’t want to see him.”

Prior to the ascertainment of counsel, Winograd spoke with Sydnor about the situation. According to Winograd, Sydnor stated that he was never notified his defense attorney wanting to speak with him on March 26. 

Sydnor himself confirmed this stating directly to the judge that he “most definitely” wants to retain his current counsel.

Winograd argued that DOC is “messing with Mr. Sydnor” and is interfering with his Sixth Amendment right to legal representation, and requested for release or transfer from the DC Jail to the lower security Correctional Treatment Facility(CTF) pending trial. 

The prosecution opposed the request for release claiming Syndor was a danger to the community pointing out that he allegedly committed the crime while on release for a previous charge. 

The judge sided with the prosecution citing “no basis” for Sydnor’s release. However, Judge Okun stated that he would reach out to the DOC General Counsel’s office to see about Sydnor’s transfer request to CTF. 

Before concluding the hearing, the judge asked for an update on the defense’s motion to continue Sydnor’s November trial date. 

Winograd restated the motion claiming there was “no reason not to let the [DC] Court of Appeals get it right” in reference to Sydnor’s other charges which could affect the outcome of the current case.

The prosecution plans to submit a written response to Defense’s motion by April 1. Judge Okun will wait for this response before ruling on a continuation for Syndor. 

Parties are slated to return June 20.