Judge Calls Stabbing Defendant, ‘the Unluckiest Man in the World,’ at Preliminary Hearing

By Gelela Tesfaye , Lindsay Mutzman - July 3, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a stabbing incident, despite his defense attorney’s claiming they arrested the wrong person, in a July 2 hearing. 

Lenare Leath, 21, is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on May 2 on the 1200 block of W Street, NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident. 

The prosecution called on detective who noted that the suspect in the courtroom was the individual he arrested. 

During his testimony, the detective told Judge Herrman that Leath was walking in the street and dropped his phone which made him angry. Then, he approached a woman and demanded her phone. When she resisted, he became violent and allegedly stabbed her. 

According to the detective, he went to the hospital to speak with the victim, where discovered she suffered from cuts to the back of her head and to her left thigh. The victim recounted what happened and was very upset. 

Detectives spoke to Leath’s father, who granted officers permission to search Leath’s room. The detective testified they found a knife wrapped in a black hoodie under the bathroom sink, along with white and black shoes that matched the shoes identified as being worn by the suspect during the incident. 

During cross examination, Quiana Harris, Leath’s defense attorney, stated that multiple witnesses were at the scene and said they never saw a person attacking the victim with a knife. 

According to the detective, at the time of his arrest, Leath identified himself as the person who committed the crime, but Harris argued that he was not in the position to accurately make statements because he was intoxicated with oxycodone at the time. 

According to the detective, many witnesses stated they never saw the person attacking the victim with a knife.

Judge Herrmann said with all the evidence provided linking defendant Leath to the crime, it would make him the “unluckiest man in the world” if he is not the suspect. 

Parties are slated to meet on July 10.