Judge Hold 2 Defendants and Issues 3 Bench Warrants During Show Cause Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 29, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

During show cause hearings on Oct. 29, a DC Superior Court judge continued four hearings, held two defendants, discharged one hearing and issued three bench warrants

Judge Rainey Brandt continued the hearing of Nathan Williams hearing until Feb 10. Williams, 32, was sentenced to two years on probation for a robbery charge in February 2017. One of the conditions was that he finds a stable home with the help of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.) 

Williams’ current home is located in Maryland. CSOSA filed a probation violation report stating that this is in violation of the Interstate Compact Agreement. According to the CSOSA representative, in order for Williams to live in Maryland, he has to move back to DC for at least 30 days so that his probation officer can submit the proper paperwork to transfer the case to Maryland. 

“It almost seems perverse to pull him from a stable environment where he’s picked up no charges, to send him back to the District [of Colombia] just so the District [of Colombia] can send him back to Maryland,” said Judge Brandt. “Probation does not mean rendering [the defendant] homeless or to a shelter pending approval.” 

Judge Brandt expressed frustration with the administrative process involved with this case, ultimately deciding to amend his sentence to strike court assistance in finding housing. She cited the many defendants who come through the DC Superior Court who do not live in DC as an example. 

The CSOSA representative expressed concern about her authority to bypass the paperwork through Judge Brandt’s ruling.

“CSOSA has some very black and white rules and it needs to learn to relax a little bit,” said Judge Brandt. 

Clifton Clinton was accused of violating his stay-away order. 

Clinton, 50, is charged with robbery. Defense attorney Bryan Bookhard says his client was just in a vehicle that happened to drive past an establishment from which he was supposed to stay away, but he did not intentionally go there. 

The hearing was continued until Dec. 7 so that the prosector could verify the story with the victim.

Judge Brandt continued the hearing for Marquis Ellerbe, who did not show up to court.

Ellerbe is charged with distribution of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful entry, simple assault and assault of a police officer. 

Both Thomas Engle and the CSOSA representative said how Ellerbe had family obligations and could not be present.

The representative said she might have confused him about whether he needed to appear in court when they spoke on the phone the other day.

The hearing was rescheduled for Nov. 16.

Defense attorney Anthony Vivani asked for a continuance because his client, Mecca LeeBey, was being held in Montgomery County, Md. 

LeeBey is charged with distribution of a controlled substance but also has outstanding charges in Maryland and Virginia. 

Judge Brandt granted the defense’s request and continued the hearing for Dec. 11 only if LeeBey has been released to the streets. 

Judge Brandt decided to hold two defendants, Christopher McCrae and Michael Johnson, who had violated the terms of their release. 

McCrae, 25, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 

He was released under home confinement. However, he repeatedly left his house. 

Defense attorney John Willmott argued that his client was assisting someone; however, Judge Brandt noted that the times in which he left his house were strange. He had left his house at 2:00 a.m. and did not return until 2:00 p.m. 

McCrae said he takes responsibility for his actions, but Judge Brandt held him anyway. 

Johnson, 22, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license. He was released with a GPS monitor; however, he has been a loss of contact since Sept. 16. PSA received a notification that the GPS device was disconnected. 

Judge Brandt asked Johnson to stand during the hearing and have a Marshall check to see if a GPS device was there. It was not. 

Johnson’s next court date is Nov. 16.

Judge Brandt discharged the hearing of simple assault defendant Arthur Chichester.

She also granted defense attorney Thomas Engle’s verbal motion for a forensic screening. The screening will take place on Nov. 10. 

Judge Brandt issued bench warrants for three defendants who did not show up to their hearings. 

Juanita Jacobs, 36, was charged with simple assault and has been a loss of contact. 

A 27-year-old defendant charged with misdemeanor sexual abuse of a child has also been a loss of contact. 

A supervision representative said she has never met him or had any contact with him or his family despite many attempts to get in contact with him. 

Finally, Spiro Stafilatos, 33, was charged with simple assault but has been detained in Maryland on a separate charge. Judge Brandt issued a Bench warrant as a detainer so that he would be transferred to DC after Maryland is done with him.

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.