Judge Holds 10 Defendants, Releases 17 During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 6, 2020
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On Sept. 5, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell held 10 defendants and released 17. 

Babtunde Adekson is held on a charge of destruction of property less than $1,000 for allegedly throwing a rock at a shop window and cracking it. He committed the offense while on release for a case in which he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Adekson was unable to control his language or behavior during the hearing despite several court orders.

Judge Crowell decided to hold him, saying, ““He is wholly noncompliant with any instructions of the court, and noncompliant with the conditions of  his release.” 

Craig Monroe is held on a charge of fugitive from justice for a hit-and-run case in Virginia. The demanding jurisdiction has six business days to retrieve him, or a hearing in DC will be scheduled.

A domestic violence defendant is held on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, and contempt for violating his release conditions. The defendant allegedly stabbed a victim in the neck, and has a series of domestic violence charges involving the same victim. Judge Crowell said he held the defendant “to protect the victim’s life.”

Edward Dickens is held on a charge of attempted second-degree theft for trying to steal a person’s cell phone after he had been released on another charge two days prior. The judge noted Dickens’s repeated criminal history.

“I released him two days ago, and he violated the conditions I set within a couple days,“ Judge Crowell said. “He was already on release for another case back then.”

Muhammed Abubakor is held on a charge of attempted receiving of stolen property for attempting to rob a store. Judge Crowell noted Abubakor’s repeated criminal activity in his decision to hold him.

Two defendants, Amina Washington and Joseph Stroy, are charged with federal crimes. They are held pending transfer to federal court.

Three defendants were released in their new cases but are being held on parole violations.

Three felony defendants were released by Judge Crowell. Two were released with an order to not possess a firearm or ammunition, and the third one was given a stay away order.

Seven domestic violence defendants were released with stay away orders. Two were also given orders to not harass, assault, threaten, or stalk (HATS) their alleged victims.

Judge Crowell released two fugitive defendants, ordering them to return to turn themselves into their demanding jurisdictions so they can resolve the matters.

Four misdemeanor defendants were released due to the nonviolent nature of their offenses.

One defendant is charged with driving with no permit. He was released with an order to not drive unless he acquires a valid permit.