Judge Finds Probable Cause for Defendant Involved in Jail Assault

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 9, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause for that a defendant conducted an attack on a fellow DC Jail inmate.

Marquette Tibbs is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing an inmate with a sharp object described as a homemade knife-like weapon. According to court documents, video surveillance shows the defendant lunging at the victim while he was being escorted to the second level of the jail.

Judge John Campbell decided not to release the defendant, saying the surveillance footage shows the defendant and his actions clearly. The judge said the defendant presents a danger to the community.

Defense attorney Jeffrey Stein said his client could have acted in self defense, though the prosecution said that surveillance footage showed the inmate in handcuffs and without a weapon.

Stein also opposed the prosecution’s request to hold Tibbs on the charge, saying it was unnecessary since he is already being held on two other charges.

On March 29, 2019, Tibbs allegedly attacked a correction’s officer with a sharp object. He is being charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. The case is pending a grand jury.

Tibbs was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in February for his involvement in the death of 37-year-old Orlando Silver on November 27, 2016. A jury did not find him guilty of murder.

The prosecution said that if a judge dismisses the charges, there would be nothing holding Tibbs in jail. The prosecutor also said that if released, Tibbs would be a danger to the public because of his history of violence.

Tibbs’ next hearing is scheduled for July 28.