Domestic Violence Defendant Fails to Appear for Sentencing

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A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for a domestic violence defendant who failed to appear in court for a sentencing hearing. 

Lorraine Owens was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon but pleaded down to simple assault in February 2020.

Owens also failed to appear for a sentencing hearing on Sept. 7. At that time, Judge John Campbell issued a judicial summons and rescheduled the sentencing for Sept. 29.

When Owens did not show up to that hearing, either, defense attorney Winston Yallery-Arthur said he had contacted her family member but had not heard from or seen the defendant. 

Judge Campbell issued a bench warrant for her arrest and rescheduled the sentencing for Oct. 14.