Judge Finds Probable Cause, Denies Release

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 24, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in an assault case. 

David Brown is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery. 

Judge Neal Kravitz chose to hold the defendant in DC Jail because the violent nature of the crimes made him concerned for community safety. 

During the July 23 preliminary hearing, the prosecution provided video surveillance of Brown, 52, allegedly attempting to steal from two victims.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective also testified that he saw the defendant commit the offenses.

Defense attorney Sean Murphy argued against probable cause since the detective said the defendant, whose face was covered during the offenses, had facial hair. Murphy said this suggests the detective is misremembering events. 

However, the prosecution said that a minor issue with memory should not take away from the whole basis for probable cause.

Judge Kravitz agreed, citing video surveillance and the detective’s identification of the defendant.

According to court documents, on May 1, two victims said Brown tried to rob them at the Gallery Place Metro Station, which is located on the 600 block of 7th Street, NW. 

The first victim said Brown grabbed her purse on the train. The defendant allegedly ran away when she fell onto the train platform, struggling to hold on to her belongings.

Shortly after, Brown allegedly came behind a woman at the station and wrapped one arm around her neck and another around her upper torso, saying “give me your money b****.” 

After she struggled, he ran away, the documents state.  

MPD officers detained the man and said they overheard him say, “so what if I did it. I’m a crackhead. I did it for crack.”

Brown’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17.