A defendant in a stabbing case accepted a plea deal while DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied him release on June 11.
Ankintola Olowofoyeku, 43, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on a DC Metro bus at the intersection of the 5400 Block of Georgia Avenue, NW and Jefferson Street, NW on July 21, 2024. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.
During the hearing, Olowofoyeku’s defense attorney, Santia McLaurin, alerted Judge Hertzfeld of his intent to accept a deal extended by prosecutors. The agreement required Olowofoyeku to plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.
Through the deal, the parties agreed to a sentencing within the guidelines in keeping with the defendant’s criminal history score which takes into account past offenses.
According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant struck the victim in the thigh, arm, and hand, resulting in injuries requiring stitches. The victim and defendant were strangers before the altercation.
Following his guilty plea, McLaurin asked Judge Hertzfeld to consider release or transfer to the Central Treatment Facility (CTF) to help Olowofoyeku’s declining health.
McLaurin claimed that Olowofoyeku had pain in his mouth that was causing sinus issues and that he had vertigo, which had caused dizziness and lightheadedness. Additionally, he is recovering from substance abuse, and the jail has not treatment program.
The defense also brought up Olowofoyeku’s parents’ declining health and his responsibility to take care of them.
However, the prosecution disagreed, stating that the “evidence of the defendant’s dangerousness is clear,” given the severity of the defendant’s current charges.
With the prosecution citing previous misdemeanors in which the defendant had acted violently and aggressively, the judge ultimately denied release and said she would consider the jail transfer.
Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 4.
