Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant Who Did Not Show for Hearing

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

A DC Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a defendant who violated his pretrial release conditions.

Darian Bullock is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a prohibited weapon, unlawful entry onto private property and simple assault in three different misdemeanor cases.

Bullock, 31, had previously been a loss of contact with Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) for nearly seven months. During a July 17 hearing, he was given more time to come into compliance with his release conditions. . After that, Bullock regained contact with the PSA. 

However, Bullock failed to appear in court for a July 31 hearing that was scheduled to address the status of his compliance. 

Joseph McCoy, Bullock’s attorney, told Judge Julie Becker that his client is still homeless. McCoy said that, while the defendant is able to hold on to phone numbers fairly well, he often has difficulty holding on to his records. 

McCoy also pointed to the recent slew of serious thunderstorms in the DC area from the past few weeks as a reason why he may not have come to court.

Bullock was also required to maintain mental health treatment. McCoy said he has been in regular contact with the wellness center where he receives treatment.

The prosecution, who argued in the previous July 17 hearing for the judge to issue a bench warrant, took up the same position. The prosecutor once again referenced Bullock’s most recent offense, a June 27 incident in which he allegedly assaulted a man with a wooden stick inside a gas station on the 4300 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.

Judge Becker said she found the details of the defendant’s most recent offense particularly concerning. 

However, she said that if McCoy is able to get back into contact with his client, he is free to walk himself into the court and avoid being held in detention.

“I hope you can get him to come in,” Judge Becker said.