Judge Holds Four Out of 24 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 19, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On Aug. 19, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 20 defendants and held four defendants in DC Jail during their initial hearings.

Judge Crowell held Stephon Green, who was charged with obstructing justice, for allegedly refusing to comply with a court order to have his hands fingerprinted on Aug 6 for an ongoing murder investigation.

The prosecution said Green impeded the police’s investigative efforts. The defense argued there was no probable cause and called for Green’s release. 

Judge Crowell found probable cause and said Green is a substantial risk. Green is being held until his next court date on Sept. 14. 

Joseph Jackson was held in contempt for violating a stay away order given to him by the court in July. Judge Crowell noted his ample criminal history and failure to comply with court orders as his reason for holding Jackson.

Christopher Williams, who is charged with being a fugitive from justice, was held by the judge. Williams is wanted in Maryland for a probation violation in his pending robbery case.

Judge Crowell said he was not inclined to release Williams based on his past criminal history, so the defendant waived his extradition hearing in DC in order for Maryland authorities to pick him up from DC Jail within three business days. 

One defendant did not have new charges filed against him, but he was held on a parole violation warrant.

Of those released, one defendant did not have charges filed against them by the prosecution. 

There was one domestic violence case presented before the judge, and he released the defendant with a stay away order from the alleged victim.

Three additional defendants were charged with being fugitives from justice, and they were all released with orders to turn themselves in to Maryland authorities, where they are wanted for assault, failing to appear and synthetic narcotic sales.

Six defendants charged with felonies were released by Judge Crowell. Two were charged with first-degree theft and two were charged with distribution of the drug oxycodone. The final two were charged with assault with a knife and unarmed carjacking. Four of the defendants were given stay away orders.

Five misdemeanor cases were released by Judge Crowell with various release conditions, including stay away orders and GPS monitoring.

Four defendants were brought in on bench warrants. Three defendants failed to appear for their hearings and one needed to be served with a Civil Protection Order (CPO). All were released with new court dates.

Two final defendants are in the hospital, so their hearings were rescheduled for Aug. 20.