Judge Releases All Defendants During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 30, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Suspects |

On June 30, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released all defendants during their initial hearings.

Of the 11 defendants released, one defendant had two charges–one was dismissed and one was not filed by prosecution. Two of the cases were domestic violence-related.

One defendant was charged with assault and second-degree theft in a domestic violence case. The prosecution requested the judge hold him because he is on probation for an felony assault conviction from 2010.

Judge McKenna denied the hold request and released the defendant, citing his compliance with probation. She ordered him to stay-away from the complainant and the associated location.

Another domestic violence case was heard and Judge McKenna released the defendant with stay-away orders at the prosecution’s request.

A defendant was charged with felony robbery for allegedly stealing a woman’s purse at the Anacostia Metro station. Judge McKenna released the defendant, citing that there was no allegation of weapon use or injury.

The woman also received her property back from the defendant.

One defendant, charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, was released by Judge McKenna.

A man was charged with carrying a pistol without a license was released. The judge said the defendant’s very limited contact with the police and lack of adult convictions went into her decision.

One defendant was brought in on a bench warrant with an underlying charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer. Prosecution was amenable to his release, so Judge McKenna released him with another court date.

Four misdemeanor cases involving threats, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, theft and unlawful entry were all released per the prosecution’s request. Three of the four defendants were given stay-away orders by Judge McKenna.