Judge Discharges Hearing for Woman Charged with Second-Degree Murder

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 26, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Judge allows woman charged with second-degree murder to remain released on pretrial after noncompliance issues.

Olivia Cole, also known as Tristian Cole, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 24-year-old Joel David Midgett on the 200 block of K Street, NW in October 2015. 

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann discharged the hearing because all parties agreed that Cole had come back into compliance and is doing well.

Pretrial services said they were in agreement with Judge Herrmann discharging the hearing on June 26.

The Pretrial Services Agency representative said Cole is back in compliance with her requirements, and there was only one small issue regarding her address. She was homeless at one point and is now staying in a local hotel. 

Cole was scheduled to appear for the rescheduled hearing on June 26. She was not present in the courtroom, but Cole’s attorney, Ronald Resetarits, said she called him and let him know she was having delays with the DC Metro system.

Resetarits requested that Judge Herrmann adjust Cole’s release requirements to GPS monitoring only with no curfew requirement.

Judge Herrmann said she was uncomfortable changing the requirements since District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman is the judge presiding over her case and knows the details of the case more than her.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Judge Todd Edelman found probable cause that Cole killed Midgett because a witness was able to identify her.

On May 22, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt also continued an earlier hearing in order to give Cole time to come back into compliance with pretrial release requirements.

Cole’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11.