Judge Releases Homicide Defendant During Initial Hearings

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 19, 2021
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During initial hearings on April 16, DC Superior Court Judge John Fisher held a domestic abuse defendant and released a homicide defendant.

In total, there were 26 cases presented before the court with five domestic violence cases and one homicide case.

Judge Fisher held one domestic violence defendant who is charged with simple assault, second-degree theft and obstruction of justice. 

The prosecution requested the hold, citing the defendant’s three pending domestic violence cases, one of which involves the same complaining witness in his new case.

During his ruling, the judge said he was worried that the defendant would not abide by court orders as he allegedly violated a stay-away in his pending case. The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for May 4.

Judge Fisher released four domestic abuse defendants. Their charges include simple assault, destruction of property, armed kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon and obstruction of justice. 

Three of the defendants were given stay-away orders from the alleged victims, and the final defendant was given an order not to harass, assault, threaten or stalk the victim in his case.

They were ordered to return to court in October.

Judge Fisher released Bernard Matthews, who is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 22 year-old Diamonte Green. The offense occurred on Feb. 16 on the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE.

“I don’t think this is a particularly strong case,” said Judge Fisher, even though he did end up finding probable cause. He said that, given the circumstances of the case itself, he did not feel that Matthews, 41, would be a danger to anyone else in the community.

Matthews was released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP) with GPS monitoring and a stay-away order. He was also ordered to return to court in October.

According to DC Courts, Matthews reported for GPS installation on April 19. His case is pending a grand jury,

Matthews next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22.