Judge Holds Two Domestic Violence Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 2, 2021
Court | Featured | Homicides | Presentments | Suspects |

A DC Superior court judge released two of six domestic violence defendants during their initial hearings on April 2. 

A total of 13 cases were presented in court. 

One defendant, who was held, is charged with contempt and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Heide Herrmann decided to hold the defendant due to pending domestic violence charges in another case with the same victim and location. 

The second defendant, who was held, is charged with unlawful entry, destruction of private property, Civil Protection Order (CPO) violation and contempt. 

At the time of the offense, the defendant had been on pretrial release with a stay-away order and GPS monitoring. Court documents allege the defendant tampered with the GPS device before breaking into the victim’s home. 

Judge Herrmann granted the prosecution’s request to hold the defendant because he was under pretrial supervision at the time of his second alleged offense.

“I do not believe that there are any remaining measures I can take with this defendant to ensure the safety of the community,” said Judge Herrmann. 

The remaining four defendants are charged with sexual abuse of a child, attempted threats and simple assault. Upon release, each defendant was given a stay-away order from either the victim, location of the crime or both. 

The released defendants were ordered to return to court on May 26.

McKenzie Beard wrote this article.