Judge Holds Four Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 20, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Presentments |

On Oct. 20, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples held four defendants in DC Jail and released 21 defendants during initial hearings.

Niko Hall, 29, was held in connection with a homicide that occurred on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE on Sept. 26. The prosecution alleged Hall participated in the shooting that killed 25-year-old Anthony Lee based on video surveillance and Instagram photos. 

Hall’s attorney argued that there is a lack of evidence tying her client to the scene of the crime and the murder itself.  However, Judge Staples found probable cause and decided to hold Hall without bond, even while noting his limited criminal history. He cited the nature and circumstances of the crime as well as Hall’s history of fleeing from police for his hold decision.

Delonte Samuels, 27, was held in jail after being charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm. The defense counsel argued that he has been compliant with the court’s conditions regarding his pending cases. However, Judge Staples noted there were multiple witnesses and it was the second time he has made such threats. 

Judge Staples held Stanley Bennett, who pleaded guilty to a sex abuse misdemeanor in 2019.  Bennett was sentenced to undergo a mental health screening and sexual assault evaluations.

However, after a notice of non-compliance was issued and Bennett failed to appear for a show cause on Sept. 30, Judge Pittman issued a bench warrant. Judge Staples decided to hold Bennett in order to ensure his attendance at his next hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 12.

A 35-year-old defendant was held on an assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse. The defendant’s attorney argued there was no physical evidence corroborating the victim’s story. 

However, the prosecution argued that a witness saw the defendant holding the victim by her neck. Additionally, the victim has a stay away order against defendant in Prince George’s County, Md. 

Judge Staples ruled that the defendant would be held until his next hearing on Nov. 12 due to the nature and circumstances of the case as well as the previous stay-away order being insufficient to keep Hill away from the victim.

The defense attorney protested this ruling asking Judge Staples to clarify why the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) was not an option.

Judge Staples repeated his ruling and moved on to the next case. 

Of the defendants who were released, two were fugitive defendants, one of which is still in the hospital, so the case was continued until tomorrow.  

Nine cases involved felony charges, including weapon possession, operating a vehicle without a permit, fraud, robbery and drug-related charges. 

Judge Staples released eight defendants on misdemeanor charges. All were released with various conditions ranging from checking in with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) to stay away orders. 

One final defendant was charged in a domestic violence case. The defendant only spoke Spanish so an interpreter was used to translate the case. The defendant was released on the condition that he verify his address with PSA. Judge Staples also issued a no Harassment, Assault, Threats or Stalking (HATS) order on behalf of the victim.