Judge Holds Sex Abuse Defendant During Initial Hearings

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During initial hearings on May 7, a DC Superior Court judge held a sexual abuse defendant.

In total, there were 25 defendants presented before the court. There were five domestic violence defendants and one sex abuse defendant.

The sex abuse defendant has two additional pending cases where he is charged with simple assault and sex abuse. 

According to the prosecution, the judge who presides over his pending cases, Judge James Crowell, had requested that he be held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in order to undergo mental health treatment and further analysis.

Given the circumstances surrounding his cases and Judge Crowell’s request, Judge Juliet McKenna decided to hold the defendant at the hospital until his next hearing, which is scheduled for May 13.

One of the domestic violence defendants was brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at his probation hearing. The defendant was released with an order to check in with his probation officer and return to court on June 2.

The four additional domestic violence defendants have charges including simple assault, attempted threats to do bodily harm and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Two of the defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims and one was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk (HATS) the complainant.

The final defendant was ordered not to physically discipline their children and to abide by any conditions set by the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA).

They were all ordered to return to court on Nov. 12 for status hearings.