Judge Issues 2 Bench Warrants During Show Cause Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 29, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge presided over 11 pretrial and probation show cause hearings on Oct. 28. 

Judge Rainey Brandt revoked a defendant’s probation and ordered her taken into custody for violating her release conditions.

In March, Jaquelin Davis was sentenced to one year fully suspended plus one year of probation for attempted robbery. She was also sentenced to 90 days, all of which were suspended, plus one year of probation for bail violation.

Since then, the 26-year-old defendant has been a loss of contact and has violated Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency’s (CSOSA) conditions multiple times.

Davis is scheduled for another hearing on Dec. 1.

Rob Smith is charged with unarmed carjacking and carrying a pistol without a license. Smith, 20, who is currently under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), has reportedly violated his release conditions. 

Because of this, the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) asked that he be removed from HISP. 

Smith’s defense attorney, Sabitiyu Abou, said that some of the violations occurred because of a death in the family.

The prosecution and Judge Brandt were sympathetic to Smiths’ circumstances. Judge Brandt decided to put him on home confinement. 

“If you leave your house for any reason, if I get so much as one more violation from PSA, I will lock you back up,” she said. 

Cornelius Mclendon and Tawayne Weaver were both in violation of their CSOSA conditions by testing positive for PCP.

According to CSOSA, Mclendon, 33, tested positive for having traces of PCP in his system. Though Mclendon has frequently been sporadic with his compliance with CSOSA, he has recently started to show progress and takes responsibility for his recent relapse. 

Mclendon showed up in court, taking full responsibility for his violations and expressing his desire to pursue inpatient treatment.

“Right now, I am very impressed by your decision making power; good luck to you, sir,” Judge Brandt said.

Mclendon’s probation hearing will be continued after his treatment is finished in 28-30 days. 

Shanti Parson, 69, is charged with simple assault, a bail violation, and possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance. 

“Miss Parson does not appear to want to comply or receive any help,” a PSA representative said.  “Our hands are tied with what we can do.”

Parson’s defense attorney, Jaqueline Williams, requested that she be given a week to become compliant and take her medication. Judge Brant agreed and ordered that Parson return to court for her next show cause hearing on Nov. 4.

Judge Brandt continued probation hearings for defendants Darnelle Crawford, Davon Boyd, 23, and Clarence Lambert. 

Crawford appeared online instead of in person for his probation hearing. Because of the confusion regarding Crawfords’ in-person appearance, his hearing was rescheduled to Oct. 30.  

Judge Brandt issued bench warrants for defendants Deshawn Jackson  and Quintin Brown, who failed to appear in court for their hearings. 

Jackson, 21, is charged with second-degree theft and Brown is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. 

This article was written by Emily Pengelly.