Judge Holds Homicide Defendant for Stabbing

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DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a homicide defendant charged with first-degree murder while armed with a knife during a presentment hearing on April 3.

George Syndor, 43, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 31-year-old Christy Bautista on March 31 on the 1600 Block of New York Avenue, NE.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded at approximately 6:50 p.m., according to court documents, and located a female victim inside a hotel room unconscious and unresponsive with approximately 30 stab wounds. She was declared deceased at the scene.

Defense attorney Jesse Winograd argued that there was lack of probable cause in the case, mentioning inconsistencies in surveillance footage and 911 caller testimony.

The prosecution argued that upon entry, responding police found the victim on the floor and Syndor in the hotel room trying to light a cigarette. A jacket found in the room matched the jacket seen on the defendant in footage from the parking lot and contained part of a knife with blood on it.

Additionally, the prosecution argued that the footage showed no one entering or exiting the room other than the defendant until MPD arrived. They also said Syndor was found with cuts and the decedent’s hair on his hands.

Judge Pipe found probable cause that the evidence indicated that the defendant was responsible for the murder.

Winograd also asked Judge Pipe to release the defendant.

He said the defendant was going to be released under the high intensity supervision program (HISP) for another unrelated crime and would have a place to live and a family support system in the community.

Judge Pipe denied the request and held Syndor without bail, mentioning an arrest warrant from Prince George’s County, MD and other concerns on the defendant’s bail sheet.

Syndor is scheduled to return to court on May 8.

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