Judge Releases All But 3 Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 10, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell released 19 defendants, holding three during initial hearings on July 10. 

Of those released, three cases did not have charges filed against them.

One of the defendants, who was held, is 18-year-old Daryle Bond. Bond was charged with the premeditated first-degree murder of 11-year-old Davon McNeal on the 1400 block of Cedar Place, SE. 

Bond’s attorney said the defendant was never specifically described as using a firearm in court documents, nor do court documents suggest that the defendant knew the victim. His attorney said both of those factors are crucial when determining if a murder is methodically planned.

The prosecution said the defendant is one of several individuals who started firing in a residential neighborhood on July 4. The prosecutor also said that, even if the suspects did not plan to kill McNeal they intended to kill someone.

The intent to kill a person transfers to the victim, the prosecution said.

Judge Crowell decided to hold Bond, citing the serious nature of his alleged crime. He also said Bond has a previous juvenile assault and carrying charges that make him too dangerous to be released.

Bond is scheduled for another hearing on Aug. 19.

The last defendant Judge Crowell held is David Dowdell. Dowdell was arrested for assaulting a law enforcement officer and threatening to do bodily harm. 

Judge Crowell initially planned to release Dowdell, but decided to hold him when he began to speak incoherently and disobey counsel’s advice to stay quiet during court proceedings.

Dowdell will be held until his court-ordered forensic examination on July 13. 

Judge Crowell also detained Joshua Walker, a fugitive from Washington state. Walker is wanted for escape, and has had a bench warrant out for his arrest since Oct. 16, 2019. The judge said there is no way he can ensure that Walker will not be a flight risk.

Washington state authorities have until July 15 to retrieve Walker. If he is not retrieved by that point, his case will be deferred to DC.

There were six domestic violence defendants. Of the six, three were released with stay away or no harassment, assault, stalking, or threatening orders. 

The other three defendants were also released with stay-aways, but had extra conditions.

Two of the defendants are required to wear a GPS monitoring device. One od the defendants with the device has also been placed into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) because the defendant allegedly assault on a pregnant woman. The third defendant is required need to take a forensic exam. 

Three other fugitives matters were released with instructions to return to the jurisdictions they have legal matters in. 

A defendant, who was in court because of a bench warrant filed on Nov. 30, 2018. The underlying charge was robbery. The defendant also has a warrant in Georgia from 2006 for carrying weapons in a school safety zone.

Although Judge Crowell expressed concern about releasing the defendant, decided to release him into home confinement until he can be placed on HISP and GPS monitoring on July 13.

Another defendant, who is charged with carrying a pistol in a prohibited location and failure to produce identification documents, was released.

A defendant, who was charged with contempt after entering a stay-away location for an order that was placed on him earlier in the week, was released with a stay away order.

The defendant insisted that he needed to go to the location because he was residing in a homeless shelter, but Judge Crowell suggested that he find another shelter to stay in.

One defendant was charged with second-degree theft, simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. He was released with a stay away order from the victim and place of the incident. 

A defendant with a prior conviction was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. The prosecutor said the defendant seemed intoxicated at the time of arrest. Judge Crowell released the defendant, citing the conditions of COVID-19 and the need to lower the jail population.

The defendant was released with a stay away order from the place of the incident.

Two defendants were arrested on unlawful entry charges. One of the two defendants also had a second-degree theft charge. Both defendants were released with stay away orders.