Judge Releases 22 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 17, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On Dec. 16, DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann held seven defendants and released 22 defendants during initial hearings. 

Nathaniel Perkins was held on the charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury. 

Perkins, 29, allegedly attacked the victim with a bottle.

The prosecutor argued for a hold, citing Perkins’ violent track record and a pending assault on a police officer case. 

Perkins’ defense attorney, Charles Canty, argued that his client has a history of returning to court and there are a variety of conditions that would ensure his client’s release and the safety of the victim. 

However, Judge Herrmann said Perkins’ criminal record was “concerning” and the brutal nature of the crime without any real provocation led her to issue the hold. 

Jose Alevar, 29, was held on unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. He is also a fugitive from Maryland where he is wanted for aggravated assault. He also has another case pending for possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Judge Herrmann said that while she understood the defense’s argument that this was just a possessory offense, court documents indicated that the weapon may have been used for something. 

Judge Herrmann held Donte Philson on an assault with a dangerous weapon charge. 

The acting defense attorney, Donna Beasley, argued that Philson, 28, has been compliant in previous cases. She also said that court documents were not clear on who instigated the assault. 

However, Judge Herrmann said court documents clearly stated that Philson allegedly stabbed another individual who then needed extensive treatment as a result of the assault. 

Kyle Kenion was held on an armed robbery charge. 

The prosecution argued for a hold, saying that Kenion, 32, was on supervised release in another case on an assault with significant bodily injury charge when he committed the robbery. 

Judge Herrmann agreed with the prosecution, saying the nature and circumstances of the case in combination with Kenion already being on supervised release led to her decision to hold him. 

Kenion’s next court date is scheduled for Jan 6.

Judge Herrmann held Donzell Brodis on the charges of armed carjacking, unauthorized use of a vehicle during a crime of violence, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more and armed robbery. 

Brodis, 27, was brought in on a bench warrant after being indicted on the charges in November. 

Marco Honesty, 24, is a fugitive from Virginia on an aggravated assault charge. He is also charged with first-degree fraud involving $1,000 or more in damages but was released in that case.

In the fugitive case, he decided to waive his right to an extradition hearing and wait at the DC Jail for three business days in order for Virginia authorities to pick him up. 

Tykwaun Elijah Copeland, a fugitive from Maryland , is charged with aggravated assault. He also decided to waive his right to an extradition hearing and wait at the DC Jail for Maryland authorities to get him. 

Of the 22 defendants who were released, five were charged with felonies, 10 were charged with misdemeanors, six were charged in domestic violence-related offenses and four were fugitives. Some defendants were charged with multiple cases

Felony charges include weapon possession, assault, drug possession and burglary charges. All were released with various conditions which included maintaining contact with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) and enrollment in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP). 

Misdemeanor charges included GPS violations, assault, theft, contempt of court, unlawful entry, DUI and resisting arrest. The defendants were released with various conditions including stay-away orders, maintaining contact with PSA and not driving a vehicle. 

Domestic violence charges included various assault charges, attempted threats to do bodily harm, weapon possession and cruelty to children. Release conditions include maintaining contact with PSA, stay-away orders, no Harassment, Assaulting, Threatening or Stalking (HATS) orders and complying with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) conditions. 

The fugitive cases include those from Maryland and Virginia who were charged with assault. All of these defendants were released with orders to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions in order to resolve their cases.

A defendant, charged with bail violation has been in the hospital since Dec. 10, so his hearing was continued once again to Dec. 17.