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By
Adriana Marroquin
- March 6, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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stabbing
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Suspects
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DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced a domestic stabbing defendant to 60 months of incarceration on March 5.
On Nov. 20, 2024, Kaelin Johnson, 29, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Oct. 1, 2024, on the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE. One individual sustained multiple stab wounds during the incident.
During the hearing, prosecutors provided video, which they deemed “harrowing,” that depicted the stabbing. According to the prosecution, the video shows Johnson repeatedly attack the victim by attempting to, and stabbing her, multiple times. Prosecutors claimed Johnson could be seen “raising his hand over and over again.”
Prosecutors added that multiple individuals attempted to stop the attack, until one successfully deescalated the incident and walked Johnson away from the car.
According to the prosecution, the stabbing stemmed from a disagreement between Johnson, and his then-ex-girlfriend and now-fiancee, when she refused to get back together with him after breaking up.
Prosecutors requested Judge Epstein sentence Johnson to 60 months of incarceration, citing his “lengthy” criminal history, which include past domestic violence cases and a pending case in which he’s charged with tampering with his GPS monitor, and the fact he was on parole for two incidents at the time of the stabbing.
However, Carrie Weletz, Johnson’s attorney, asked Judge Epstein to sentence Johnson to 42 months, saying “the criminal history is the criminal history… it is what it is,” insisting that Johnson has spent his time since he was arrested for the stabbing “figuring out what he wants to do moving forward.”
According to Weletz, Johnson, who deals with untreated mental health issues, spent most of his formative years on the streets with no parental or role models. However, she argued, he took full responsibility for his actions early in the case.
Weletz stated she was requesting a lower sentence because Johnson is likely going to be re-sentenced to additional time in the cases for which he was on parole at the time of the stabbing.
“I want to apologize to the victim, my soon to be wife,” Johnson stated, adding “I had time to think about how my actions impact others.”
Johnson pleaded with Judge Epstein, “I ask for a chance to be a productive member of society.”
Judge Epstein stated the victim “may have been lucky to be alive,” following stab wounds all throughout her body – adding a pre-sentence report from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) stated Johnson poses a “high risk for recidivism.”
“I agree,” Judge Epstein said, arguing Johnson is “struggling to find his way.” Judge Epstein highlighted Johnson’s rough upbringing, recalling him being shot twice and sustaining a stab wound as a teenager.
“I hope, Mr. Johnson, you’ll take advantage of the services,” Judge Epstein told Johnson as he imposed a 60 month sentence. Johnson is also required to serve three years of supervised release and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF).
No further dates were set.