Judge Denies Motion to Take Kidnapping Defendant Off GPS Monitoring

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 23, 2020
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge denied a defense attorney’s request to have her client taken off GPS monitoring.

Buda Mulla is charged with kidnapping for allegedly trying to run off with a toddler on July 8. 

Mulla, 56, is currently released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with orders to receive mental health treatment. 

During the Oct. 23 hearing, a representative from the Public Defender Services (PDS) said Mulla has been receiving mental health treatment every week. Mulla’s defense counsel, Dinah Manning, requested that he be removed from HISP due to his compliance. 

“He had 55 years of a pristine record, and now this happened,” said Judge Julie Becker.

Judge Becker denied the defense’s request, saying she wanted the court to be able to understand what led Mulla to the alleged offense before placing him into general supervision.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was called to the corner of 15th and E Street, NW. Mulla allegedly grabbed the three year-old and attempted to flee the scene.The parents were able to tackle Mulla to the ground, according to court documents. Mulla walked to a bench nearby, and sat down. MPD was able to approach the defendant and arrest him.

When asked why he grabbed the child, Mulla reportedly said, “I wanted to pull the kids into the kingdom of Heaven.”

The child was not seriously injured.

Mulla’s next hearing is scheduled for March 11, 2021.