DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond denied the release of a defendant accused of a non-fatal shooting near residences, a school, and a church during a preliminary hearing on Oct. 27.
Wilson Dodson, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license while outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident took place on May 22 on the unit block of Peabody Street, NE, near Sela Public Charter School. No injuries were reported.
Defense attorney Charles Haskell alerted the court of Dodson’s intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing which Judge Raymond accepted.
The prosecution requested Dodson remain held at the DC Jail while he awaits trial due to the shooting in a residential area with a nearby school where parents were picking up their children at the time of the incident. They went on to call the shooting “reckless” since it endangered multiple bystanders, one of whom ran into the school to call 911.
Haskell requested the defendant to be released with any conditions the court wanted to impose, citing Dodson has a limited criminal history, with only two misdemeanors that are more than a decade old. The defense then claimed Dodson has an extensive family in the area that could support him if he was released.
The prosecution rebutted the argument, claiming the defendant’s family aided Dodson when he fled the crime scene by allegedly lying to police about his whereabouts and therefore would be unlikely to cooperate with law enforcement if he was released.
Judge Raymond ruled no conditions could ensure the safety of the community if Dodson were released and ordered Dodson’s continued detention. The judge noted in her decision that the defendant fled, an arrest warrant had to be issued, and he was arrested more than a month after the incident during a traffic stop.
The prosecution then stated that a plea deal had been extended to Dodson which will expire after the next hearing, however none of the details were disclosed in court.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 7.
