Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Assault from Mental Hospital

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On April 21, a DC Superior Court judge released a defendant who was being held in a psychiatric hospital.

Eugene Petty is charged with simple assault for attempting to hit his caretaker on Nov. 20, 2019.

Petty has been detained at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution since Jan. 31. However, Judge Michael Ryan decided to release Petty on his own personal recognizance with release conditions that were not specified.

According to DC Courts, the judge continued the matter for the next calendar judge on July 7. Petty’s request was made due to the COVID-19 pandemic.