Judge Holds 2 Out of 23 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 31, 2020
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On July 31, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 21 defendants and held two defendants in DC Jail.

Of those released, two did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution and one was given a citation and released.

Judge Crowell held a defendant who was charged with assault on a police officer.

Michael Cole allegedly wrestled, pushed and said “f*** you” to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers while they were attempting to settle a dispute at David’s Tent, which is located on the National Mall, on July 30.

Cole said he would not be willing to follow Judge Crowell’s order to stay away from David’s Tent. “That is a church and they are on federal property,” he said. Cole then suggested the judge was trying to kick him out of DC. 

Judge Crowell ordered that the defendant receive an inpatient mental health screening due to his behavior in the courtroom.

Another defendant, who was charged with unlawful entry, destruction of property, second-degree theft and contempt in a domestic violence case, was also held. 

Judge Crowell cited the defendant’s three pending cases, two of which involved domestic violence with the same victim, as reason to hold him. Judge Crowell also said the defendant will not follow court orders, as indicated by two bench warrants that were executed for his arrest earlier this year and his violation of a stay away order.

There were eight additional domestic violence cases. Six defendants were released with either stay-away or no harassment, assaultive, threatening or stalking (HATS) orders towards the victims. One of the defendants was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) and served with a Temporary Protective Order (TPO).

One defendant was charged with being a fugitive from justice. She is wanted in Maryland for assault. Judge Crowell released her with orders to turn herself in to Maryland authorities immediately.

Four felony cases were presented before the judge involving unlawful distribution of a hallucinatory drug known as PCP, possession of PCP, second-degree burglary and armed robbery. 

Two of the defendants were released with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), while the two charged with the robbery and burglary crimes were both released with a GPS monitoring device and given stay-away orders.

Five additional misdemeanor cases were heard by Judge Crowell. Three of the defendants have charges involving assault while the other two have multiple charges. Four defendants were given stay-away orders.

A defendant, charged with second-degree theft, was still in the hospital, so Judge Crowell moved his hearing to Aug. 1. The defendants presentment hearings have been pushed back since July 23.