Judge Holds 10 of 35 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 15, 2020
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On Oct. 15, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann released 25 defendants and held 8 in DC Jail and two under the supervision of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) during initial hearings. 

Rodney Pickett, 34, is charged with second-degree murder. Pickett allegedly shot 34-year-old Gary Swinson on the 3300 block of 15th Street, SE, on July 12. Swinson was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Pickett’s attorney argued against probable cause. She cited multiple inconsistencies in the case, including a lack of witnesses who could place the defendant at the scene.

However, Judge Herrmann found probable cause based on surveillance video that allegedly showed Pickett at the scene, DNA evidence from the murder weapon that matched Pickett and pictures of the murder weapon on the defendant’s phone.

Judge Herrmann held the defendant due to the serious nature of the crime.

Trevon Harrison, 28, is charged with first-degree burglary. Harrison allegedly entered a residence on the 2700 block of Albemarle Street, NW on Oct. 12 and told the victims to give him their property. The defendant and two victims engaged in a physical altercation that resulted in one of the victims and the defendant going to a local hospital.  

Harrison’s attorney asked for her client to be released. She said Harrison didn’t know that people lived in the building, and he has no prior felony convictions. 

Judge Herrmann held Harrison, taking into account the character of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history, which contains no felony convictions, but some “concerning” misdemeanors. Harrison had been issued 11 bench warrants for failing to appear at his hearings in the past. 

Five defendants were held for authorities from Maryland and Virginia to pick them up. 

Tajuan Anderson was held on an underlying homicide charge from Maryland.

Stephen Russell and Spencer Isaac were held on underlying bench warrants for failing to appear at their extradition hearings in DC on Oct. 14. They are wanted in Virginia and Maryland, respectively, and will be held in order for authorities to retrieve them.

Two juvenile defendants were both held in DYRS’ custody for authorities from Maryland to pick them up. One is charged with kidnapping, and the other is charged for robbery.

James Cooper, 50, was brought in on two bench warrants for failing to appear at his hearings in two misdemeanor cases where he is charged with possession of a controlled substance and a bail violation. Judge Herrmann released Cooper in both of his bench warrant cases, but he was held in order to deal with a parole violation matter.

Christopher Anderson, 33, is charged with possession of controlled substances, amphetamine and synthetic marijuana. Judge Herrmann released Anderson in his new cases, but he was also held in order to deal with a parole violation matter.

The final defendant who was held pleaded guilty to simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm in a domestic violence case on Oct. 5. The defendant was brought in on a bench warrant as he was accidentally released from DC Jail 17 days before his sentence was finished. Judge Herrmann stated she had no choice but to hold him in order to let his sentence finish.

Of those released, two defendants did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution.

Judge Herrmann released four defendants charged in domestic violence cases. Two of the defendants were given stay-away orders and two were given no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders in reference to the alleged victims.

Two additional defendants are charged with being fugitives from justice. One defendant is wanted in Georgia for a probation violation, and the other is wanted in Maryland as a material witness. Both defendants were released with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions.

Judge Herrmann released eight defendants charged with misdemeanors. Three defendants were released with stay-away orders, four were released with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and one was put on GPS monitoring with a stay-away order.

Five defendants charged with felonies were released with release conditions including stay-away orders, reporting to PSA and not possessing any firearms in DC.

Four final defendants were released with orders to return back to court. Two of the defendants are charged with traffic cases and the other two were brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings.