DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones denied a stabbing defendant’s request for release on Feb. 11 after she waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
Thelma Speed, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 200 block of 51st Street, NW, on Jan. 6. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.
According to court documents, Speed got into a verbal argument with the victim at the victim’s apartment that allegedly led to her stabbing him in the left forearm, left hand, and right hand.
Defense attorney Darryl Daniels alerted the court of her intent to waive her right to a preliminary hearing of the evidene and requested Speed’s release, citing that she has not failed to appear in court, is a DC native, and has nearby family to support her.
Daniels also argued that the victim has “unclean hands,” arguing they’ve previously had domestic issues, and that the victim committed violent acts as well, saying that Speed’s alleged stabbing was not committed “out of the blue”.
According to Daniels, Speed had multiple lacerations to the face at the time of the incident, as well as a bruise around her eye when he visited her in jail. When officers arrived on the scene, Speed allegedly claimed that her facial cuts were not incurred that day.
Daniels confirmed that Speed has obtained reliable housing since she was barred from the apartment building where the incident occurred. Speed interrupted Daniels to confirm that she has no desire to return to the location of the incident, and does not even know exactly where the building is located. She also interrupted announcing the location of her new address, and both Judge Jones and Daniels warned her to remain quiet.
The prosecution requested that Speed stay incarcerated, citing the fact that she has six previous charges in New Jersey where she lived temporarily, including two aggravated assault charges.
The prosecution thus disputed the argument that Speed’s home is in DC, saying that she lived in New Jersey as recently as August 2025. Speed again interrupted the proceeding, saying that she split her time between New Jersey and DC, but Judge Jones cut her off.
In response, Daniels argued that the assaults were solely confrontations with law enforcement, indicating that she is not a threat to the public and that although her bail sheet may seem long, she is not violent.
The prosecution reminded Judge Jones that Speed refused to answer the door when police officers arrived, eventually resulting in the officers forcing the door after following the blood trail to the apartment.
Daniels said that the hesitation was due to the fear that the victim was knocking, as he had fled the apartment after being stabbed. Judge Jones contended the police would have announced their presence.
Prosecutors also argued that Speed stated she was “wet,” meaning high on PCP, at the time of her arrest, and lost consciousness after being placed in handcuffs. She allegedly tested positive for PCP and cocaine at the time of her arrest.
Judge Jones denied the request for release and stated that Speed will be held without bond, citing her aggravated assault charges, as well as two warrants for her arrest in New Jersey.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 6.
