Judge Holds 3 Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 30, 2021
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On March 29, a DC Superior Court judge released four of the 10 defendants charged in domestic violence cases. 

Of the total 31 cases, Judge Heide Herrmann heard 10 domestic violence cases and one sexual abuse case.

One of the defendants, who was held, is charged with contempt for violating his conditions of release and attempted threats to do bodily harm. The defendant has other domestic violence cases with prior stay-away orders. 

Judge Herrmann recognized the defendant’s attempts to have a police officer escort him to get property from the location of the stay-away, however, the defendant allegedly made threats to the complainant, which made her believe that he is potentially dangerous to the community.

Another defendant that was held is charged with simple assault and possession of a controlled substance. Judge Herrmann also deemed this defendant potentially dangerous to the community because the domestic violence case also had gun violence associated with it and his prior convictions involving firearms. 

Another defendant, who was held, is charged with unlawful entry of private property, second-degree theft and simple assault. The defense attorney asked for the defendant to be placed on home confinement instead of being held at the jail because he has complied with a lot of his release requirements in the past.

However, Judge Herrmann granted the prosecution’s request to hold the defendant.

All three of the defendants are held until their next hearings on April 13. 

Judge Herrmann also issued stay-away orders for all remaining domestic violence defendants and ordered them to contact the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) once a week.

The defendants have charges that include simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm, contempt, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, destruction of property and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO). Additionally, one of the defendants was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at her hearing.

The defendant charged with second-degree sexual abuse was also issued a stay-away order and was instructed to contact PSA once a week as conditions of his release. 

The released defendants are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 30.