Judge Releases Defendant Charged with Assault Under HISP

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 17, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge released a defendant charged with assault with a dangerous weapon under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

On May 11, Sa’quonda Smith allegedly swung a large knife multiple times at relatives. The incident resulted from a family disagreement when Smith, a resident of Baltimore, Md., was trying to pick up her three-year-old child from her mother-in-law. Smith was intoxicated at this time.

Defense attorney Winston Yallery-Arthur argued that the abrasions that resulted from the transgression were a result of attempted self-defense, not the attack itself. 

But, the prosecution said it was a “miracle” the victims were not seriously injured.

Even though the victims said that they do not perceive Smith as a threat, the prosecutor said victims do not always have a clear perspective on their level of safety. The prosecutor said that Smith’s family’s love for her may have blurred their judgement.

Judge Ronna Beck released Smith with a stay-away order. She must maintain a 100-yard distance from the victims, their homes, and their jobs. She is also restricted from contacting them by any means.

The judge made one exception in the stay-away order. He allowed Smith to call her son on FaceTime. The child is currently under the functional custody of his paternal grandmother. 

Smith successfully completed her two prior terms of probation in 2003 and 2010.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court again for another hearing on Sept. 28.