Judge Holds Defendant Without Bail

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 24, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court Magistrate judge found probable cause April 23 and ordered a 58-year-old murder defendant held without bail.

David Allen Hackney is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the stabbing death of 46-year-old Chester Belfield on the 1000 block of Southern Avenue, SE on April 13.

During the hearing, Judge Errol Arthur denied the defenses request for release under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), saying that because of the nature of the offense Hackney is a risk to the community.

Defense attorney, Anthony Matthews, refuted the finding, saying Hackney was not a flight risk and had a limited criminal history. Matthews said Hackney had two nonviolent convictions for public urination and drug possession. However, D.C. Witness could only confirm a distribution of cocaine conviction in 1993. 

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department officers found Belfield suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. A witness said a cell phone video shows Belfield and Hackney arguing near a bus stop before Hackney pulled out an object and began to stab Belfield.

Hackney is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 3.