Judge Holds Murder Defendant During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 29, 2021
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During initial hearings on Jan. 29, DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe held a murder defendant.

There were a total of 19 cases presented before the judge, and she held four defendants. The judge also heard five domestic violence cases, holding one of the defendants.

Christian Arndt is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of his father, Donald Arndt.

Christian Arndt, 28, allegedly hit his father, 54, in the head repeatedly with two baseball bats.

Defense counsel requested the defendant’s release, saying there is “ample evidence of psychosis and significant mental health issues.”

The attorney also said that Christian had been given Ativan, or Lorazepam, at a hospital the prior day, which is a drug with known psychotic effects.

Counsel also noted the presence of the defendant’s mother in the courtroom. She was, apparently, advocating for his release and was willing to have him return home with her.

Though Judge Pipe acknowledged the defendant’s complete lack of criminal history, she said she is concerned about the apparent untreated mental health and substance abuse issues which could lead to more violence. Given the circumstances of the case, Christian will be held pending his next hearing, which is scheduled for Feb. 18.

Judge Pipe also held an adult male who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device in a domestic violence case.

The judge decided to hold the defendant because of the serious allegations in the police report.

The victim allegedly drove towards oncoming traffic and bailed out of a moving vehicle because she was so worried about the defendant’s actions, which allegedly include stalking-like behavior., according to court documents.

The defendant’s next court date is Feb. 18.

The judge released four additional domestic violence defendants, three of which are charged with simple assault. The other defendant was brought before the court on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his probation hearings.

All were released with various conditions, including a stay-away order, a no harassing, assaulting, threatening or stalking (HATS) order and requirements to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) by phone.

All of the released domestic violence defendants are scheduled to return back to court on June 3.