Judge Issues 2 Bench Warrants During Probation and Pretrial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 5, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On Sep 4, a DC Superior Court judge issued bench warrants and continued court proceedings for pretrial and probation show cause hearings. 

Judge Gerald Fisher continued a murder defendant’s pretrial show cause hearing. Tristian Cole, 29, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of Joel Midgett, who was stabbed in the chest on the 200 block of K Street, NW on Oct. 16, 2015. 

Cole was arrested in November of 2019 and released under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) on Feb 10. A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer said that Cole did not contact PSA about her GPS as instructed.

Judge Fisher ordered the defendant to report to PSA after the hearing concluded. 

Judge Fisher also issued bench warrants for two defendants, Robert Taylor and Carroll Strickland, who did not show up to their show cause hearings.

Taylor was sentenced to two years of probation for third-degree sex abuse in March of 2019. He has reportedly not been in contact with a Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) officer or his defense attorney, Leo Alley. The defense reminded Judge Fisher that his client is homeless, making contact difficult. 

Strickland also failed to appear in court for his pretrial show cause hearing. She is charged with unlawful entry onto private property. 

Delonte Reed told a CSOSA officer he would be present for his 10 a.m. hearing, but did not appear. Reed showed up to the courthouse at 2:37 p.m. 

Judge Fisher ordered Reed detained and that he be stepped back pending a final probation revocation hearing. 

Vincent Gibson also failed to appear for his probation show cause hearing, but Judge Fisher decided to continue the hearing in case Gibson had not received adequate notification about it. Gibson is charged with assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. 

Judge Fisher found probable cause that Alan Jackson, 35, violated his probation. 

Jackson is charged with assault, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and attempted second degree theft. 

A CSOSA officer requested that his probation be revoked because of his positive PCP test and two re-arrests.

Defense attorney Edward Joseph said the defendant had completed a drug program and is continuing outpatient treatment. 

Judge Fisher gave Jackson a chance to prove he is back in compliance and ordered him to remain under GPS monitoring and comply with an 11 p.m. curfew. Jackson’s probation revocation hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2021. 

Cooper Gray, 23, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

The PSA requested revocation of the defendant’s release, but defense attorney Lee Smith said Gray was not aware of his release requirements and will fully comply moving forward.

Judge Fisher denied the revocation request and arranged for GPS installation on Gray before he left the court. 

Monique Richards-Townsend, 35, was also brought to court for a pretrial show cause hearing . However, defense attorney Joseph Molina and the PSA brought reports showing compliance with release conditions. 

Judge Fisher discharged the show cause and ordered her to get a mental health assessment.

Richards-Townsend is charged with two counts of assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm. 

Ricky Dyson appeared before the court for a probation show cause hearing. All presiding parties agreed to continue the case to allow the Dyson time to display compliance with his probation

Dyson is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed, possession of firearm during crime of violence, carrying pistol without license, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of liquid PCP and possession of a controlled substance.

Robert Wilson’s case was continued to Sept. 23. He is charged with second-degree theft and bail violation.