Judge Holds 2 Defendants, Releases 20 During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 23, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna held two defendants and released 20 defendants during initial hearings on Nov. 23.

Tariq Scott was held on charges of robbery and armed robbery. 

Scott, 20, was already on probation for the same charge when he allegedly committed the crime. However, defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman argued that her client was merely present at the crime, but was not the one committing the offense. Cadman requested release, citing Scott’s stable employment and housing, as well as his efforts to obtain his GED.

Judge McKenna denied Cadman’s request, citing noncompliance in his probation requirements as well as his past criminal history. She also prohibited Scott from communicating with a co-defendant in this matter–who was released.

Scott’s next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16 where the parties will schedule a date for the preliminary hearing.

Judge McKenna also held a domestic violence defendant who is charged with simple assault, contempt and threats to do bodily harm. 

The acting defense attorney argued that a High Intensity Supervision (HISP) program would be better suited for the defendant. However, the prosecution cited a pending case of a similar nature and violations of pretrial release conditions as reasons why a hold would be more appropriate. 

Judge McKenna scheduled the defendant’s next hearing for Dec. 8.

Of those who were released, six defendants were charged in domestic violence cases. Five of the defendants were given stay-away orders, and one was reminded not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the victim in his pending case.

Judge McKenna also released two defendants who are charged as fugitives from justice. One of the defendants is wanted in Virginia for forgery and one is wanted in Maryland for cocaine possession.

The defendants were ordered to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions. Additionally, the defendant from Maryland is also charged with misdemeanor unlawful entry and second-degree theft in DC. He was given a stay-away order in his DC case as well.

Nine additional defendants charged with misdemeanors were also released. The charges include possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple assault, destruction of property, unlawful entry onto private property, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and assault on a police officer. 

Three of the defendants were given stay-away orders while the rest were ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). Two of the defendants had their charges dismissed by the prosecution.

Judge McKenna released two defendants charged with felonies of unlawfully possessing a firearm with a prior conviction and armed robbery. The defendant charged with armed robbery is a co-defendant to Scott and was given a stay-away order.

Only one defendant was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing. He was released with orders to check in with his probation officer immediately.

A defendant charged with possession of a controlled substance is in the hospital, so his hearing was moved to Nov. 24.

This article was written by Maria Marzullo and Krystin Roehl