Judge Hears 8 Domestic Violence Cases During Initial Hearings

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On Jan. 11, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe heard 35 cases, releasing 30 defendants and holding five at DC Jail during initial hearings.

Of all of the cases heard, eight were domestic-violence related, and the judge released all but one of the defendants.

Judge Pipe held an adult male defendant charged with simple assault. Defense counsel requested the defendant’s release given his compliance with his probation requirements.

Judge Pipe decided to hold the defendant because he reportedly violated the stay-away order from his probation case in which he pleaded guilty to simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. His new case also involves the same complaining witness as his probation case.

Additionally, he is alleged to have assaulted the complaining witness as well as two other victims who attempted to intervene.

The defendant will be held at DC Jail pending his next hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 26.

The remaining seven domestic violence defendants are charged with either simple assault or violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO).

Four of the defendants were given stay-away orders from either the alleged victim or the location of the incident, two defendants were given orders not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victims and one defendant was given both a stay-away and a no HATS order.