DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a stabbing on Sept. 16, even though he might have been the victim of a robbery in a hearinfg on Sept. 15.
Edin Matute Bautista, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing at the 1400 block of Irving Street, NW, on Aug. 28. The defendant and one other individual sustained injuries.
The lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified she saw blood at the mouth of an alley.
According to the detective, one witness was walking with the victim when they encountered an individual who started to swing a knife at them. The victim stated that he was attacked by a young, Hispanic male and he reacted in self-defense. He was riding his bike when he saw an individual crouched between cars and was attacked.
A witness recorded the incident and sent videos to the police. They depict one individual, later identified as the defendant, chasing another person with a knife and another video of the victim bleeding. The witness identified said to be Bautista as the assailant when he was taken to the hospital for treatment..
Another witness claimed to see the defendant chasing another man with a knife yelling “I’m going to kill you” in Spanish. The witness also claimed that one day prior Bautista was, “looking for someone to stab”.
According to Bautista, he was walking home from work when he was robbed and his backpack was stolen.
Bautista’s defense attorney, Hannah Claudio, noted police didn’t find a knife on Bautista.
Claudio also focused on the detective’s earlier testimony that the victim injured his leg jumping a fence when this is not indicated in police or court documents.
The victim also didn’t hear any threats, according to Claudio, and she pointed out apparent inconsistencies in the detective’s description of the suspect’s clothing.
Following the arguments, Judge Ryan stated that he was “wrestling with competing scenarios,” as witness testimonies are contradictory and not corroborative.
Claudio claimed that the individual being chased in the video had a backpack and that MPD failed to corroborate or follow-up on witness testimonies that could identify a suspect.
She also noted “credibility issues” by the witnesses as one of them declined to be identified or speak in person and the other was said to be uncooperative and intoxicated according to the detective.
Additionally, Claudio argued that one of the witnesses said the chase was eastbound, but the victim said he was chased westbound citing a landmark that is consistent with the claim.
Judge Ryan acknowledged that there is a “less than coherent idea of what happened” but based on the skeletal facts of the case, he found probable cause.
The prosecution then requested that Bautista remain in custody citing that he is a danger to the community given the seriousness of the offense.
Claudio asserted that Bautista has no criminal convictions and the court previously noted that there was bare minimum probable cause. She claimed there is evidence that Bautista was robbed and reacted. He also has a stable job and home to return to and substantial support from his community, some of whom were present in the courtroom.
Judge Ryan ruled to have Bautista released with minimal conditions other than to report to pre-trial services as directed. A stay-away order was also imposed meaning Bautista must not make contact with the victim.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 18.
