Judge Issues 8 Bench Warrants During Pretrial, Probation Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 28, 2020
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A DC Superior Court judge issued bench warrants in eight of 12 pretrial and probation show cause hearings over which she presided on Oct. 27.

Judge Rainey Brandt issued bench warrants for the arrests of Sandra Holt, Robert Vossburg, Anthony Wainwright, Larry Johnson, Jamal Slaughter, Eynwood Whichard, Jyzel Barefield and James Slater. All of these defendants are a loss of contact with either the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) or the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.)

Holt is serving three years of probation in three cases. She pleaded guilty to second-degree theft, simple assault and destruction of property less than $1,000 in August of last year. 

Vossburg is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Defense attorney Lola Ziadie said her client was in Richmond, Va. Judge Brandt told Ziadie to tell her client to come to court immediately, giving Vossburg until the afternoon to show up. 

Vossburg did not show, nor did he answer his phone when Judge Brandt tried to call him. 

Wainwright is charged with aggravated assault knowingly and a bail violation in two different cases. His attorney, Wole Falodun, has not been able to contact him. 

Johnson, 53, is serving one year of probation for distribution of cocaine and a DUI. 

According to CSOSA, Johnson has been a loss of contact since early June. 

Slaughter is serving two years on probation for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. According to CSOSA, he has not been compliant with the conditions of his probation. 

Whichard, 35, is charged with assaulting a police officer for allegedly biting an officer on his right thigh while being detained on July 13 on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. 

Whichard’s attorney, Chris Langello, said that his client has severe mental health issues and won’t own a phone because he thinks government agents are tracking him. Langello asked Judge Brandt to continue the hearing in order to give him time to track down his client.

Judge Brandt denied the request, as Whichard picked up this case while on probation.

Barefield, 26, is charged with robbery. On Aug. 7, Barefield allegedly took an iPhone 7 Plus from a victim’s backpack on the 1200 block of G Street, NW. 

His attorney, Karen Minor, has not been able to get in touch with him.

Slater, 52, is serving one year of probation for simple assault. He has lost contact with both CSOSA and his attorney, Sharon Weathers. 

Judge Brandt continued the hearings of two defendants, Clarence Lambert and Donnell Wilkinson, who did not show up to court. 

Lambert, 29, is serving 12 months on probation for two counts of simple assault. 

According to CSOSA, Lambert has not been compliant with his probation conditions. He is currently at a treatment facility. However, he will soon be discharged. 

Judge Brandt decided to continue the hearing to Oct. 28 and asked for him to be brought down for a hearing to figure out the best solution for Lambert’s situation. 

Wilkinson, 35, is serving six months on probation for second-degree theft in two cases. 

His attorney, Stephen Logerfo told Judge Brandt that his client is currently being held in DC Jail for another charge. 

Judge Brandt continued Wilkinson’s case to Nov. 20, so he could be present. 

Judge Brandt continued a hearing to give a defendant time to get in compliance with probation requirements. 

Samuel Dickerson is serving two years of probation for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. Since his release, he has not contacted CSOSA. 

Dickerson’s attorney, Dinah Manning, said that her client was confused about what he was supposed to do. She also said that since being released he’s stayed out of trouble and because of that, she asked for the show-cause to be discharged due to the miscommunication. 

The prosecution objected and instead asked for a continued hearing in a few months, in order for Dickerson to comply with probation conditions. 

Judge Brandt granted the request and scheduled Dickerson’s next case for Jan. 5, 2021. 

Judge Brandt transferred the probation of a defendant who plans to move to New York.

David Neysmith, 35, was sentenced to one year of probation for attempted second-degree burglary. 

“If he goes to New York and transfers his probation you’re making it impossible for me to have control over the case,” she said. “If he violates his probation in New York it’ll be out of my jurisdiction and different states have different requirements…for example, the state of Maryland makes some people pay money for probationary requirements and Virginia brings on brand new charges if you violate probation.”

Judge Brandt decided to terminate Neysmith’s probation so he can avoid possible different requirements and so he can have a good place to stay.