DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan released an assault defendant on GPS monitoring with a stay-away order on April 21.
Jordan Clarke, 31, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and threatening to injure or kidnap a person for her alleged involvement in an incident at the unit block of 42nd Street, NE on April 18.
According to court documents, Clarke was arrested on scene after she allegedly threatened one of the victims and approached them with a knife. During the altercation, a victim disarmed Clarke and both victims restrained Clarke on the ground. During the altercation, Clarke allegedly bit one victim on the back upper arm, the other victim on the forearm, and Clarke sustained injuries to her hands.
At the hearing, Clarke’s attorney, Daniel Kovler, informed Judge Nolan that Clarke chose to waive her preliminary hearing, thus acknowledging probable cause she commited the crime.
Kovler requested Judge Nolan release Clarke on GPS monitoring. He stated Clarke has no prior criminal history, family and friends she can stay with, and cares for her four children. Clarke is willing to stay away from the two victims and the location of the incident if granted release. Kovler said Clarke previously resided in the apartment where the incident occurred.
According to Kovler, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived on scene and found “[Clarke] was held down and was being beaten.” Kovler notes that Clarke sustained a number of cuts during the incident.
The prosecution argued that Clarke should remain held, because of the seriousness of the offense. One of the victims was a juvenile and the other was over the age of 65. The prosecution stated they have strong evidence, including video footage of Clarke allegedly yelling and throwing things at the victims before she can be seen brandishing a knife and approaching them.
Judge Nolan decided to release Clarke on GPS monitoring. He ordered her to stay away from both victims and the location of the incident, but she is allowed to retrieve her belongings from the location with a police escort. She is required to check in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) in person two times a month.
The parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 27.
