Judge Holds 4 Defendants During Initial Hearings

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On Sept. 29, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released 12 defendants and held four defendants in DC Jail during initial hearings.

Judge McKenna held four individuals, two of which are charged in assault cases.

The first defendant, Wayne Jones, is charged with assault on a police officer and attempted threats to do bodily harm. Jones, 25, was held because he is in violation of conditions in a probationary matter and in a pending case for which he is on pretrial release.

The second defendant, Antonie Thomas, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Thomas, 46, allegedly stabbed his victim several times on the right side of his body. The stabbing was caught on camera from a nearby liquor store. Judge McKenna deemed it necessary to hold Thomas due to the fact that the event occurred in broad daylight and in a public space where bystanders could potentially have been harmed.  

Judge McKenna held one individual, Jamar Jennifer, who is a fugitive from justice from Maryland. Jennifer, 30, is also charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm in another case. He was held in the fugitive matter to give Maryland officials three days to pick him up and was released in the misdemeanor case.

The final defendant who was held, Tyrone Wade, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed. The 27-year-old is currently on supervision in a prior matter. Additionally, he was recently arrested on Sept. 16 for distribution of a controlled substance and put on pretrial release. 

Judge McKenna said she decided to hold him due to his noncompliance in his other matters. 

Of those released, three defendants were charged in assault cases. Judge McKenna released all three with stay-away orders from the alleged victims. One defendant was also warned not to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition. 

Judge McKenna also released two defendants charged with armed robbery. They were released with stay-away orders and the order to not be in possession of firearms or ammunition. One of the defendants was put on GPS monitoring to ensure his compliance on pretrial release.

Two defendants in possession of controlled substances cases were released with the requirement to check in and verify their addresses with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).   

Two individuals charged with misdemeanors were released. 

Additionally, an individual charged with second-degree burglary and an individual in a domestic violence case were released. 

Lastly, Judge McKenna released a defendant charged with being a fugitive from justice.