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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- September 29, 2020
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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One Sept. 28, two domestic violence defendants pleaded guilty to simple assault.
The defendants, Alejandro Mejia-Nava and Aziz Benassou, entered into Deferred Sentencing Agreements (DSA) with the prosecution. This means that if the defendants complete their requirements by the end of the deferment periods, their guilty pleas will be withdrawn and their cases dismissed.
Benassou must continue to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). However, both defendants must comply with a No Harass, Assault, Threaten or Stalk (HATS) order, and complete any assessments deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).
Judge John McCabe also ordered defendant Benassou to participate in an anger management program, and defendant Mejia-Nava to enroll in a domestic violence program through CSOSA.
Benassou agreed to defer his sentencing for six months, while Mejia-Nava agreed to nine.
According to a spokesperson with CSOSA, defendants can be under both PSA and CSOSA supervision when entering a DSA, unless the defendant is participating in a domestic violence program through court services. In that case, the defendant is strictly under CSOSA supervision.
Judge McCabe scheduled Benassou’s next hearing for Apr.1, and Mejia-Nava’s for June 28.