Judge Finds Probable Cause, Holds Defendant

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A DC Superior Court judge ruled that a destruction of property case has enough evidence to go to trial and held the defendant.

The defendant allegedly destroyed the pin pad and front glass door of a store on the 2900 block of Benning Road, NE on June 27. He was arrested the next day.

The prosecution brought forward a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer to testify during the Aug. 14 hearing.

The prosecution asked Judge Renee Raymond to hold the defendant because of his other six pending cases, which include charges of theft, unlawful entry, bail violation and misdemeanor sex abuse.

The defendant picked up some of these charges while on release in other cases. The prosecution also said that the defendant could be a flight risk because he has missed a hearing in the past.

Defense attorney Lola Ziadie asked for her client’s release. She said her client should be presumed innocent and that the missed hearing was due to the defendant not receiving notice, an issue Ziadie does not believe will repeat itself.

Judge Raymond denied the release request, saying the safety of the community cannot be reasonably ensured if she released him.

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29.