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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- September 24, 2020
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On Sept. 23, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 20 defendants and held seven defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.
Three defendants charged with assault were held by Judge Crowell.
Isaac Edwards, 32, is charged with simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and destruction of property less than $1,000. Edwards’ attorney asked for the defendant’s release under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).
“There is no convincing evidence that he would reappear in court,” Judge Crowell said. He said the seriousness of the defendant’s crimes and criminal history make it impossible for any conditions to ensure the public safety.
The second assault defendant is charged with simple assault, unlawful entry and obstructing justice in a domestic violence case. The defendant allegedly broke into the victim’s home and punched the pregnant woman in the stomach.
The defendant’s attorney asked for his release under HISP. Judge Crowell denied the request, saying that there is no condition or combination of conditions that could ensure the safety of the victim.
Ouethy Kadji, 32, is charged with simple assault and second-degree theft after allegedly attempting to take items from a 7-11 convenience store on the 1900 block of Wyoming Avenue, NW and then striking a worker in the eye.
At his hearing, Kadji acted strangely and spoke to himself without acknowledging the judge. Judge Crowell held Kadji so that he could receive a mental health screening on Oct. 8.
A domestic violence defendant was also held by Judge Crowell. The defendant is charged with contempt, violating conditions of release and violating a Temporary Protective Order (TPO).
Judge Crowell said he could not release the defendant because there would be no way to adequately protect the individual who the defendant was ordered to stay away from.
Isaiah Allen, 26, is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000 and unlawful entry onto private property. Probable cause was determined in his case and a hold was deemed necessary by Judge Crowell.
Defense attorney Jonathan Armstrong requested Allen’s release, explaining that Allen had a construction job and two children to care for. Judge Crowell explained his decision to hold Allen, saying the defendant had not complied with any of his conditions of release including getting a GPS monitor installed.
Two defendants were held in DC Jail for authorities from Delaware and Maryland to pick them up.
Christopher Brisco was held on underlying weapons charges from Delaware.
Tavante Robinson was held for Maryland authorities to pick him up, but he is also facing separate charges in DC.
Judge Crowell issued a bench warrant for Allen O’Brien, 27, who is being charged with armed robbery. The defendant failed to appear in court.
O’brien’s attorney asked for her client to be given another chance because he has had family issues.
Judge Crowell said, given the nature of the offense and O’Brien being released after his last bench warrant, he had no choice but to issue another bench warrant.
Judge Crowell also issued a bench warrant for a defendant who failed to report to Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) to have a GPS monitor installed. Vincent James, 36, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Of those released, seven defendants were charged with assault. Five were issued stay-away orders and one was issued a stay-away order and no Harassing, Assaulting, Threatening or Stalking (HATS) order.
Three defendants charged with destruction of property were released.
Eight more defendants were released. Two were released after being brought in on bench warrants. One was issued a bench warrant after failing to appear at his arraignment in 2018. The second defendant was brought in on two bench warrants after failing to appear at his hearing in 2019.
Judge Crowell also released two defendants, charged with being fugitives from justice, ordering them to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions.
One final defendant had his hearing rescheduled because he was in the hospital.