Judge Gives Defendant One Week to Self-Surrender

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

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe gave a defendant, who is charged with attempted robbery, one week to self-surrender. 

David Blake was charged with robbery on Jan. 14. His charge was changed to attempt to commit robbery on March 2. He was released from DC Jail on Mar. 26 due to safety concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic on the condition that he stays confined at home until his sentencing hearing. 

However, the defendant failed to report his frequent outings to his Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer. Blake now has one week to return to court, so that he can be taken to DC Jail. 

The PSA officer provided GPS tracking data which showed Blake leaving his house for extended periods of time as late as 1:56 am. 

Blake’s attorney, Rachel Cicurel, argued that the defendant has proven that he is no longer a danger to society due to many positive accounts from his psychologists. She also said that while he has failed to report every outing, he has kept in contact with the PSA officer. 

Judge O’Keefe said the defendant should have followed the release conditions for the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). He said he will allow a grace period of one week for Blake “to get his affairs in order.” 

The defendant must turn himself in by 9:30 a.m. on July 16. If Blake fails to turn himself in to the authorities, he could be subject to a $1,000 fine, 180 days in jail, or both. 

Blake will remain under GPS supervision for the week and must report all of his outings to his PSA officer. After his self-surrender, he will remain in jail until his sentencing hearing.

The defendant’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3.