Defendant’s Request for Release Denied Despite Health Concerns

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 2, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides |

A judge denied a release request for a defendant who has chronic health issues and says he is not being given adequate treatment at the DC jail.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident that took place May 13.

A motion for release was filed on June 22 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Defense attorney, Donald Dworsky, said his client has a number of medical issues, including diabetes and breathing problems.

He said the defendant’ was found collapsed on the floor twice, but the jail has not been able to give him a machine to help him breathe.

A representative from the jail said the defendant is receiving proper care, given daily medications and is in a chronic care program. The representative also said that they are working to getting a machine from the defendant’s residence.

But, the defendant said the representative was not accurately describing the medical treatment  he is receiving at the jail. He said he does not feel safe and no one is watching over him or giving him the treatment he needs.

DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian said it appears that the defendant is receiving adequate treatment. However, he ordered that a machine to help the defendant breathe be transferred to the DC jail.