Judge Holds Four Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 20, 2021
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

During initial hearings on May 19, DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples held four domestic violence defendants.

In total, there were 22 cases presented before the court, and eight of these were domestic violence related.

The first domestic violence defendant held is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in a felony case. Defense counsel, Kevin O’Sullivan, requested the judge to not find probable cause, outlining many inconsistencies in the police report.

However, Judge Staples found probable cause and decided to hold the defendant at the jail pending his next hearing.

The second held defendant is charged with violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO), assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. 

Defense counsel requested his release, saying he is supposed to be escorted by two individuals at all times as he is under the care of the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). She said he has significant cognitive issues, and those who are caring for him should know he is not allowed to go to the location he allegedly went to.

Judge Staples decided to hold the defendant because he was just found competent on May 17. He said he is concerned by his pending cases and recent assaults on police officers.

The judge held a defendant who is charged with violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO), attempted threats to do bodily harm and contempt.

Judge Staples held the defendant because he has a pending domestic violence case involving the same complaining witness, and he allegedly violated the stay-away order multiple times.

These three held defendants are scheduled to return to court on June 8 and 9.

The final defendant held is charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted threats in two cases. Judge Staples released the defendant in that case with an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the alleged victim, but he was held on an unrelated parole warrant.

Three of the released defendants have charges including simple assault, attempted second-degree cruelty to children and destruction of property. All three defendants were ordered to stay-away from the complaining witnesses and to return to court on Nov. 23.

A defendant, who was also released, was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his hearing. The judge released him with a new court date for June 18.