Judge Demands Drug Test for Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 9, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects |

On July 9, the prosecution pushed for a convicted violent offender to be transferred to in-patient services for the remainder of their sentence. 

Clarence Alexander was convicted of simple assault on Nov. 21, 2019, and sentenced to one year of probation on Dec. 18, 2019. According to court documents, the defendant was under the influence of the drug K2 when he committed the crime.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ruled that the defendant must take an immediate drug test after multiple probation violations in Jan. 2020. 

In order to demonstrate that he was no longer ingesting the substance, his probation’s primary condition was to appear for multiple drug tests. However, Alexander has not reported for the test and his probation officer has not been able to reach him because he is homeless.

A Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer, who oversaw the conditions for Alexander’s probation, initially requested in-patient services for drug abuse for the remainder of Alexander’s sentence.

The prosecutor agreed.

Alexander’s attorney, Chris Langello, argued that since the defendant has not taken a drug test, there is no proof that he has been consuming K2.

The attorney said his client has not abused any controlled substances aside from marijuana and alcohol for at least 3 months. He would “rather go to jail than receive in-patient care,” Langello said.  

The officer agreed to extend the defendant’s probation if he immediately reported to a CSOSA drug-testing location after the trial. 

Judge O’Keefe agreed, saying, if Alexander tests negative, he would remain on probation and be responsible for weekly check-ins with his probation officer going forward. If he tests positive, he would be recommended for in-patient treatment or detention. 

The judge made Alexander step out of the courtroom to make an appointment for drug testing. 

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled to take place on Aug. 13.