Judge Doesn’t Release Man with Multiple Assault Charges

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 16, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

On June 16, a DC Superior Court judge denied a request for release from a man who is charged with offenses connected to multiple violent outbursts. 

Ronald Washington was charged with assault with the intent to commit robbery in March and misdemeanor assault on June 3. 

Police arrested Washington on March 19 for attempting to rob a Subway restaurant on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. He threw plastic bottles and a table at the clerk whom he ordered to open the cash register. 

The defendant later assaulted a correctional officer at the DC Jail, allegedly throwing a chair at him and attempting to stab him with a pencil.

Judge Renee Raymond said she was not told, before the hearing, that Washington had also been charged with the misdemeanor assault.

Defense attorney Celine Schroeder said Washington’s outburst in jail was evidence that he has been suffering psychologically due to mistreatment and should be released so he could recover.

The prosecution reminded the judge that Washington was formerly charged eight times with assault, including six for which he received a conviction. The prosecutor said the defendant’s tendency for violence could not have been the result of jail conditions.

A felony status hearing is scheduled to occur on Aug. 7.