DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur gave prosecutors two days to respond to a defense motion seeking a domestic stabbing defendant’s release at a hearing on July 15.
Paula Washington, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a domestic stabbing on June 10 on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE.
According to court documents, Washington allegedly slashed her boyfriend with a pocket knife during an argument, reportedly saying, “I’m going to send you to meet the Lord.” The two had reportedly been drinking, court documents state, and the confrontation caused lacerations to his chest and left arm.
At the hearing, Washington’s attorney, James Brockway, argued that the defense’s motion for release should be expedited due to her serious medical conditions, presenting concerns that she is not receiving adequate care while incarcerated at the DC Jail.
“Every day she is in there, we worry that her condition worsens,” said Brockway.
Brockway argued to Judge Arthur that prosecutors have handled Washington’s case in a “dubious” manner.
“Basic discovery obligations have not been met in this case,” argued Brockway.
The motion for release review was submitted on July 13, following the defense’s attainment of body-worn camera footage from the incident. Footage that the defense had been requesting since June 19, according to court documents.
According to Brockway, along with lackluster communication between counsel, the assigned prosecutor has been absent from the previous two hearings. Different stand-in prosecutors have been present at both hearings, further delaying the proceedings.
“[The assigned prosecutor] knew there was a court date,” said Brockway, referring to the prosecution’s absence.
Judge Arthur reminded Brockway that the approval of motions takes time.
“Did you let [the prosecutors] know you were filing a motion?” Judge Arthur responded.
Judge Arthur said he could not rule on the motion without hearing from the assigned prosecutor and granted the prosecution until July 17 to file a written response. The judge said it was “unfair to rely solely on a [prosecutor] who is not ready to argue the facts of the case.”
The next hearing is scheduled for July 22.
