Judge Holds 2 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 21, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On Dec. 18, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held two defendants and released 15 during initial hearings.

Judge Herrmann held Tyrell Betz, who is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

Betz, 27, was allegedly discovered with a firearm by officers from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Gun Recovery Unit (GRU) on Dec. 17 in Southeast, DC. 

Betz’s defense attorney requested his release, given the fact that Betz is not accused of doing anything with the firearm except to possess it. He additionally was cooperative with the officers when they approached and subsequently arrested him.

However, Judge Herrmann decided to hold the defendant, citing his lengthy criminal history as well as the fact that he was in violation of a stay-away order when he was approached by police.

Judge Herrmann also held a 20 year-old male defendant, who is charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm and contempt in a domestic violence case. 

The prosecution requested the judge to hold the defendant, given two additional pending cases which involve the same alleged victim.

The defendant promised to stay away from the location of the incident, but Judge Herrmann decided to hold him, citing concern surrounding the violation of a stay-away order as well as the alleged threats in the new case.

Of those who were released by the judge, six were charged with misdemeanors. The charges include destruction of property, simple assault, shoplifting, unlawful entry, second-degree theft, attempted threats to do bodily harm and lewd, indecent or obscene acts. Five of the defendants were given stay-away orders, while all were ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Three defendants charged with being fugitives from justice were released with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions, which include Virginia, Florida and Maryland.

Judge Herrmann also released five defendants who are charged in domestic violence cases. Four of the defendants were given stay-away orders while one was ordered not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victim. One of the defendants was also placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), which includes GPS monitoring to ensure the victim’s safety.

A defendant brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear was released, and a defendant had his hearing continued to Dec. 19 because he is still in the hospital.