DC Superior Court Judge Charmetra Jackson Parker found probable cause on Feb. 6 for the stabbing of a fellow inmate at DC Jail by three co-defendants.
Ernest Cleveland, 32, Nathaniel Patten, 31, and Antoine Turner, 33, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury while armed for their alleged involvement in the stabbing of an inmate at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Dec. 30, 2025. The victim sustained injuries to the upper torso and head but survived the incident.
In court, Judge Jackson Parker heard arguments for and against probable cause. The prosecution brought forward an investigator for the Department of Corrections (DoC) to testify on the facts of the case.
According to the investigator, he reviewed court surveillance (CCTV) and compiled reports from correction officers. The courtroom viewed the footage.
The footage depicted the altercation where an individual identified as Patton who was seen engaging first with the victim. Individuals identified as Cleveland and Turner were alleged filmed joining the stabbing shortly after.
The investigator said the defendants were all assaulting the victim with “stabbing like motions.”
The investigator claimed he distinctly saw Cleveland, Patten, and Turner reach into their waistbands and pull out, what he assumed to be, a sharp object resembling a “shank,” a homemade knife. He apparently knew they had weapons based on previous experience, noting that inmates often carry homemade weapons in their waistbands.
According to the investigative reports and surveillance footage, the three suspects fled the scene following the assault. According to the witness, Cleveland was reportedly observed flushing an object down a toilet in an open jail cell.
Patten’s defense attorney, Ferguson Evans, implied the investigators assumptions were not clearly based because there was no strong evidence that Patten had a sharp object in his hand.
Evans criticized the investigator’s assertion, saying just “because [Patten] has his hands in his pants” does not mean he holds a weapon.
The investigator was questioned on his interpretation of the surveillance. He continuously repeated that he could not recall the specifics, especially who possessed a weapon and who stabbed the victim from the video alone.
It was clear to the investigator, however, that Cleveland swung at the victim with stabbing motions but failed to make contact.
The prosecution argued for probable cause citing the placement of the victim’s injuries and the contact allegedly made by Patten and Turner.
Judge Jackson Parker agreed with the prosecution that there was obvious evidence pointing to assault with a sharp object by one of the defendants. She found probable cause for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge for Patten, Turner, and Cleveland.
Cleveland’s initial charge of assault with significant bodily injury was dropped due to the lack of contact between his movements and the victim. The charge remains for Patten and Turner.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 9.
