In a brief proceeding before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on April 27 a defendant charged with stabbing her mentally impaired sister was released pre-trial.
“This is more of a person issue,” not a community safety issue, said Judge Salerno in making his ruling.
Dana House, 55, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing her sister with a sharp object on March 14 on the 1200 block of Valley Avenue, SE. Probable cause that House committed the crime with aggravating circumstances was determined earlier this month and she was detained.
However, defense attorney Victoria Clark said the judge may have “misconstrued” the situation. The victim suffers from schizophrenia and other disabilities, said Clark, and House has been acting as an unpaid caregiver.
The prosecutor countered that the victim was “severely traumatized” and has trouble sleeping. “This is indicative of a need for a hold,” said the prosecutor, who mentioned that House has a previous record.
Judge Salerno reviewed the allegations that House forced her way into the victim’s residence and attacked her vulnerable sister with a sharp object.
However, the Judge said, “if this was more of a community safety issue, I might do home confinement.” Ultimately, he concluded that the alleged offense was directed at only one individual.
As such, he ordered that House be released under GPS monitoring, with a stay-away order from the victim and a prohibition against possessing any weapons.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor said there is a plea offer in the case, though details were not released in open court.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 22.
