Hearing Continued After Defendant Considers Withdrawing Plea

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On Dec. 16, a DC Superior Court judge continued an assault defendant’s sentencing as he considers withdrawing his guilty plea.

Dominic Copeland is charged with assault with intent to kill in one case and assault with a dangerous weapon in another. Copeland allegedly shot at a moving car at the intersection of 1st Street and N Street NW, on April 26, 2019. Earlier that same day, he allegedly stabbed a victim eight times in an apartment building on the 100 block of Q Street, NW.

Copeland, 30, entered guilty pleas in October of last year. As part of the plea agreement, his assault with intent to kill charge was downgraded to aggravated assault knowingly while armed.

Defense attorney Michael Madden asked Judge Craig Iscoe to continue the Dec. 16 hearing. He said his client wanted more time to consider possibly withdrawing his guilty plea, but he isn’t sure yet.

Judge Iscoe scheduled Copeland’s new sentencing for Jan. 8.

John Sullivan wrote this article