Judge Denies Bench Warrant for Stabbing Defendant With Mental Health Issues

By Alex Garcia Pecina - September 13, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied a prosecutor’s request for a bench warrant against a stabbing defendant who failed to appear in court on Sept. 12.

Sharae Hicks, 51, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on July 29 on the 1400 block of 12th Street, NW. One person was injured.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, Hicks and the victim were drinking at an apartment when the problem started. The victim told MPD officers that Hicks assaulted him without provocation. However, Hicks told officers that she fought back after the victim began to touch her face.

Hicks, who has been on release since Aug. 2, failed to appear at the Sept. 12 hearing, prompting a prosecutor to request a bench warrant for her arrest, citing multiple notices of non-compliance from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

However, Alvin H. Thomas, Hick’s attorney, revealed that she missed court because she’s hospitalized for mental health issues.

A representative from PSA stated the GPS monitor, which was installed on Hicks at the time of her release, pinpointed her location at a hospital. 

Given the situation Judge Pipe decided to allow the treatment to continue and denied the bench warrant motion.

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 19.