Judge Gives Homeless Defendant 2nd Chance to Get to Hearing

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 22, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

On July 22, DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a hearing to July 29 to give a defendant another chance to appear in court. 

The defendant pleaded guilty to simple assault and assault on a police officer on Dec. 9. He was sentenced to 120 days in jail, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation.

The defendant has not reported to the Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) since his last hearing on June 11.

The prosecution asked Judge Maribeth Raffinan to issue a bench warrant for his arrest, citing the defendant’s failure to appear to court and concerns of his safety in the neighborhood where the assault occurred. 

Defense attorney David Akulian opposed the bench warrant request.

“This is really someone who needs to get mental health services and not someone who needs to be incarcerated,” he said.

 Judge Raffinan reserved the right to issue a bench warrant if he does not appear to the next hearing.