Defendant Sentenced to 28 Months for Stabbing Daughter’s Boyfriend

By Elizabeth Brady - October 31, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | stabbing | Victims |

A defendant was sentenced to 28 months for stabbing his daughter’s boyfriend on Oct. 31 by DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park. 

On Sept. 9, James Williams, 41, pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing on Aug. 7, on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW. 

Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of ten-to-28 months of incarceration. 

According to court documents, the stabbing stemmed from a verbal altercation between Williams and his daughter’s boyfriend, when Williams stabbed the victim twice in the ribcage from the back.

In William’s statement, he said that this was a family matter, adding “I am not happy for what I’ve done… I apologize your honor.”

The prosecution argued for the higher end of the sentence of 24-month incarceration due to the seriousness of the crime, stating that “the victim is lucky to be alive.” 

They added that Williams’ old, yet long, criminal history of drug distribution, several unprosecuted arrests, and violation of prior probation pose a threat to the community. 

Defense attorney Susan Ellis noted the prior probation violation was due to Williams’ father’s death, as well as the defendant’s being shot, and a bad ending for a serious relationship. Since then, the defendant has turned to family and God, and he is employed at a church, according to Ellis. 

Ellis requested a short split sentence which would have included 10 months of incarceration followed by a longer probationary period where he would do community service with his home improvement skills. 

She argued that this was the only violent crime that Williams had committed and that he took responsibility immediately. She noted how his mother and daughter have supported him throughout this process and he would like to go into anger management programs. 

Judge Park reviewed conflicting narratives of self-defense in documents after the plea, concluding that the defendant was shifting blame onto the victim.

Judge Park said a short split sentence was not appropriate for the seriousness of the crime. He ruled for a total time of 28 months, with 14 months suspended, as well as 18 months probation with three years of supervised release. 

Williams’ will probation conditions include substance abuse assessment, mental health screening, anger management classes, maintaining or seeking employment, and continuing the stay-away order from the victim. 

No further dates were set.