DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan rescheduled a trial due to a stabbing defendant’s lawyer leaving the Public Defender’s Service (PDS) on April 14.
Troy Scott, 35, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly creating grave risk while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and felony carrying a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on the 1600 block of 29th Street, SE on Aug. 5, 2024.
According to court documents, Scott told police the victim was swinging an axe around and acting crazy before the victim struck him in the leg where he sustained a stab wound.
Scott said he defended himself but didn’t specify how in a police interview. The victim sustained a brain bleed with a fracture, broken nose, multiple facial fractures, an arterial injury and multiple stab wounds.
Judge Ryan asked the parties if they were ready for trial. The prosecution stated that they were.
Scott’s attorney, Rachel Cicurel, told Judge Ryan she would not be able to represent Scott in his upcoming trial because she is leaving PDS on May 1. The trial was set for May 11.
Judge Ryan asked Cicurel why she didn’t file for a continuance sooner. Cicurel stated she was in trial for the last seven weeks and she lost track of time. She stated that a continuance would be necessary since there aren’t any available PDS attorneys that could be ready for the case before the trial date.
Cicurel requested Scott be released on home confinement with GPS monitoring as a result of the delay. Cicurel explained that Scott completed work at the DC Jail, including full drug treatment. She also stated he completed approximately 30 certificates to help aid his skillset for life after prison.
Judge Ryan stated that it was unreasonable for Cicurel to ask for release considering she didn’t file to delay the trial before the hearing. Cicurel apologized, stating she didn’t intend to alert the court so close to the scheduled trial.
“I don’t want to see [Scott] suffer for my choice to have a career change,” Cicurel said.
As a result, Judge Ryan told her to file the continuance first before requesting release. He told Cicurel she has a week to file her motion. Additionally, Judge Ryan will set a new trial date.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 28.
