Judge Holds 3 Defendants, Releases 25 During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 8, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On Dec. 7, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples held three defendants and released 25 defendants during initial hearings.

Oscar Salgado-Aquilar, 46, was held on an assault with intent to kill while armed charge. 

“The court is prepared to find substantial probability at this time,” said Judge Staples. 

Judge Staples also found the prosecution presented more evidence than needed for a probable cause ruling. 

The prosecution argued that the alleged crime was witnessed by seven people many of whom were allegedly threatened by Salgado-Aquilar. 

The prosecutor told the judge that the defendant was heard saying, “I’m going to kill you; I’m going to kill your sister; I’m going to kill all of you.”

Salgado-Aquilar’s attorney, Amanda Rogers, argued that her client had no criminal record and that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence apart from court documents to satisfy the requirements for a hold. She suggested placing her client on GPS monitoring instead. 

Judge Staples also held Mark Bryant in a probation violation matter from 2019. 

Bryant, 48, was originally sentenced to serve a year on probation on a misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance conviction; however, that probation has been revoked. 

Judge Staples cited his noncompliance with probation conditions and two pending cases as reasons for the hold.

Judge Staples held Zacharia Unique Raines as a fugitive from justice from Maryland after she failed to appear in court for a hearing in August. 

She is held for three days in order to allow time for the demanding jurisdiction to pick her up.

Of those who were released, 10 defendants were charged with felonies, seven were charged with misdemeanors, seven were fugitives and one defendant was charged in a domestic violence case. 

Release conditions include verifying addresses with the Pretrial Services Agenc (PSA), various stay away orders, involvement in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) or a combination of requirements. All of the defendants will be required to return to court on May 10, 2021, unless the defendant is given an earlier date.

The defendants who are charged with felonies have charges that include weapons possession, unlawful entry, assault and drug possession or distribution charges. All were released with varying conditions. 

Defendants released on misdemeanor charges include failure to register as a sex offender, assault, drug possession, weapons possession, unlawful entry and resisting arrest. All were released with various conditions. 

Of the defendants who were brought in on fugitive charges, seven were released so that they may turn themselves into the demanding jurisdictions. All of the defendants were fugitives from either Virginia or Maryland.  The underlying charges included assault, burglary, failure to appear, larceny and harassment. 

The defendant involved in the domestic violence case is charged with assault and attempted second-degree cruelty to children. The defendant was given orders to stay away from the victims in this case. 

This article was written by Maria Marzullo.