Judge Holds Simple Assault Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 21, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge denied releasing a defendant from DC Jail on July 21.

The defendant was brought before the court in four domestic violence cases. He is charged with simple assault and contempt for violating the terms of his release.

The defendant allegedly violated pretrial release conditions by repeatedly harassing and assaulting a woman with whom he had children, despite receiving stay away and home confinement orders.

Defense attorney Everald Thompson said his client had been living harmoniously with the victim for seven years until his recent incidents.

He said the defendant became unstable because he “was in the middle of physical recuperation” after being shot in 2015 and having chronic pain ever since. 

Thompson also said the defendant had a job at a retail store and his manager misses him.

When asked where the defendant would live should he be released, Thompson said he would be living with his cousin. However, it seems as though the cousin may have withdrawn the offer.

The prosecution objected to the defendant’s release, saying the victim was known to have called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on him multiple times, suggesting they were not on good terms.

The prosecutor also said the defendant told the victim he would not abide by any court orders.

Judge Maribeth Raffinan sided with the prosecution, saying that the defendant posed a danger to his victim and the community.

Taylor is scheduled for a status hearing on Sept. 25.