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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- June 29, 2020
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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A DC Superior Court judge denied June 29 a request for release from a defendant charged with assault with the intent to kill.
On Jan. 13, Juan Galla Jr. allegedly shot and injured two men on the 300 block of Taylor Street, NE after getting into a verbal altercation with them. Galla had been punched in the face by one of the victims before a gun was discharged.
Defense attorney Nikki Lotze argued that her client would not pose a threat to the community once released. She said Galla has a place of residence in Upper Marlboro, Md. She then mentioned that Galla had a job prior to his arrest and his employers have described him as “hardworking and reliable”.
She also said her client is being detained for longer than he deserves because hearings are getting delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lotze also addressed an involuntary manslaughter conviction in 2008, saying the felony occurred when Galla was a minor and that he only received a three-year sentence.
However, the prosecutor said Galla’s manslaughter conviction, even though it happened a long time ago, does not make it any less serious.
She said Galla had been prohibited from owning a firearm, but his most recent case involved him discharging one.
Judge Erik Christian sided with the prosecution, saying all the judges who reviewed the case earlier denied Galla’s release because they thought he could be dangerous.
Galla is scheduled for a hearing on Sept. 23.