Judge Releases Defendant from Home Confinement

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

A DC Superior Court judge ended a defendant’s home confinement and placed him under the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.)

Donnell Jones, 21, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly shooting at a crowd on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW on March 24. Jones’ co-defendant, Emon Flemming, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with the incident. Jones was held in DC Jail from March 24 until June 2, when he was released under home confinement stipulations.

During the Aug. 18 hearing, defense attorney Evan Parke asked Judge Rainey Brandt to downgrade his client’s pretrial release conditions so he could seek employment.

“Mr. Jones is seeking to get back to helping his family, bringing in some income,” Parke said. “His son was born while he was incarcerated, and he has a chance to help raise him under HISP.”

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer supported the request. The officer said that Jones has been compliant with his release conditions and the agency would be comfortable with releasing him under HISP.

Judge Brandt gave Jones a 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and ordered him to wear a GPS monitor.

Jones’ next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.