Judge Continues Six Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 14, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides |

On Dec. 11, a DC Superior Court judge presided over eight hearings for defendants who were reported to not be complying with the requirements of their probation or pretrial release. 

Judge Robert Okun stopped one of the hearings when he noticed the defendant looked as though he was in pain.

Antonio Mickel is charged with possession of cocaine. 

Mickel, appearing over the video, was attempting to enter into a guilty plea. Halfway through the hearing, Mickel began to act like he was experiencing significant pain. Defense attorney Stephen Ridell told the court that his client checked out of the hospital on Dec. 10 against medical advice in order to attend the hearing. 

“In an abundance of caution, I don’t think we should go forward with this hearing,” said Judge Okun.

Mickel said he was fine and that he wanted to continue; however, Judge Okun rescheduled the hearing for Dec. 17.

Judge Okun decided to terminate William Dews’ probation as unsuccessful after hearing arguments from Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) and the defense. 

Dews, 58, is on probation for destruction of property of less than $1,000. 

A CSOSA representative said they had spoken casually over the phone, but Dews was resistant to supervision requirements and requested Judge Okun revoke Dew’s probation.

Defense attorney Raymond Jones argued that his client has completed community service, served jail time for this non-violent offense and paid restitution. He also said that CSOSA filed a complaint with the court six days before his client’s probation was to end even though the alleged violation occurred months prior. 

Judge Okun said he did not believe that Dews was a danger to society because of probation violations, but he also believed the defendant’s probation has not been successful. 

During John Parker’s hearing, attorneys requested that Judge Okun continue the hearing because the parties needed to finalize a plea agreement.

Parker is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. 

Since his release, Parker has been non-compliant with pretrial release agreements and his GPS battery has been dead since November. 

Defense attorney Jonathan Armstrong told the judge that both he and his client had gone to the PSA office prior to the hearing; however, Parker was not feeling well and failed the symptom check at the door.

Judge Okun decided to continue the hearing to Dec 18. 

William Brock is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of liquid PCP, failure to register as a firearms offender, possession of ammunition, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and attempt to distribute a controlled substance. 

CSOSA told Judge Okun that Brock has been non-compliant with release requirements and was requesting that his pretrial release be revoked.

“It’s a lack of desire to come into compliance,” the prosecutor said.

However, Judge Okun decided to give Brock another chance to come into compliance with pretrial release requirements.

Judge Okun scheduled the next hearing for Jan 13.

Judge Okun discharged a pretrial matter for Jamal Baptist; however, he continued two probation hearings for Feb. 10.

Baptist is on pretrial release for a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) violation and on probation for contempt, lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior, and unlawful entry charges. 

During a defendant’s hearing, defense attorney Janai Reed said she has been unable to locate her client and verify his address. She requested a continuance in order to do so. 

The defendant is charged with unlawful entry. The case was dismissed on Oct. 19, 2021, after the defendant completed a diversion program.

Judge Okun granted her request and set the next hearing date for Jan 13.

Judge Okun continued Mecca Lee Bey’s hearing until Jan 13 due to the defendant being detained in Montgomery County, Md. 

Bey is charged with distribution of a controlled substance.

Judge Okun issued a bench warrant for Jamar Byrd after he failed to appear in court. 

Byrd, 40, is charged with unlawful entry. 

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.