A defendant who is accused of stabbing his brother in the leg accepted a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Nov. 3.
Manuel Yeager, 41, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury while armed for his involvement in a stabbing that took place at the 2300 block of Q Street, SE on June 3. One individual, Yeager’s brother, suffered a stab to his leg.
Yeager signed and accepted a plea offer that required him to plead guilty to the assault with a dangerous weapon charge in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.
Judge Pipe asked the prosecution about a “victim impact statement” note in the offer. The prosecution noted that it was not required, but that the victim had the right to provide one should he choose to.
The prosecution stated that, if the case had gone to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim, Yeager’s brother, was stabbed in his shin, and that the victim’s report that Yeager was the perpetrator was accurate.
Daniel Kovler, Yeager’s defense attorney, argued for Yeager’s release. He stated that he had a very limited criminal history and that he could be safely released to his grandmother’s home, where he would be separated from his brother. He claimed Yeager admitted he was at fault to police early in their investigation.
Kovler also mentioned that there was no intent to stab his brother as he did. He said that a fight broke out between the two, and the victim only got stabbed when he tried to kick Yeager.
The prosecution argued that, intended or not, Yeager stabbed his brother in the shin, and that the victim was almost bleeding out when police found him. Judge Pipe agreed.
The prosecution also mentioned a another case of Yeager’s assaulting his brother.
Judge Pipe denied the request for release, and Yeager will be held until sentencing.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 9.
