Defendant Returns to Court 2 Years After Guilty Verdict

By Aerial Lopez [former] - March 22, 2023
Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Probation | Sexual Assault |

A defendant in a domestic violence case was summoned to DC Superior Court for allegedly violating his parole conditions. 

He was charged with armed assault with intent to kill on May 6, 2019. Soon after, William McKenzie  went to trial. On Oct. 1, 2020, McKenzie, 45, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. All of his other charges were dismissed. 

McKenzie thought that his case was closed on Dec. 8, 2020, after he was sentenced. But, he was mistaken when he was recalled to court for a probationary show cause hearing on March 20.

During Monday’s hearing, defense attorney John R. Fowler informed DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan that McKenzie has a bench warrant in Alabama from 2002. Fowler also said he and his client have attempted to “get picked up” for this warrant on two separate occasions.

Both times were unsuccessful.

After this brief explanation, Judge Ryan said it was clear that McKenzie has been in full compliance with his probationary conditions and that the outstanding bench warrants mistakenly triggered a violation in the system. 

Fowler assured Judge Ryan that he and McKenzie would work to squash the warrant. Judge Ryan discharged the show cause hearing.