DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld released a domestic stabbing defendant after the prosecution’s late disclosure of evidence delayed his trial on Sept. 21.
Otis Ransom, 51, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly grave risk while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and possession of a prohibited weapon for his alleged involvement in the non-fatal stabbing of a victim at the 1200 block of 3rd Street, NE on Dec. 13, 2025. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds that required hospitalization.
The parties agreed to reschedule Ransom’s trial, but disagreed whether he should remain detained.
Prosecutors alleged that Ransom “stabbed the victim seven times” and argued he would pose a serious threat to the community if released.
Judge Hertzfeld agreed, citing “grave concern” about the potential risk. Despite this, she ultimately ordered his release to home confinement with GPS monitoring due to the length of his detention.
Ransom has been held at the DC Jail since December 2025. “I’m going to have to release him today,” Judge Hertzfeld said.
The trial delay stemmed from the discovery of additional evidence when a new prosecutor took over the case on Sept. 1. The material was sent to defense attorney John Harvey in the weeks after the new prosecutor’s appointment, but after the original Aug. 21 discovery deadline.
Harvey said he was unaware that the information wassent prior to the trial readiness hearing on Sept. 11, when the defense asserted they were prepared for trial.
The new prosecutor was “deeply concerned” about the defense’s lack of access to discovery materials.
Judge Hertzfeld expressed frustration with the previous prosecutors handling of Ransom’s case, but clarified that she assigns “no due diligence [issues] at all to these [current] prosecutors.”
Regardless of the circumstances, Judge Hertzfeld emphasized that the prosecution is responsible for providing the defense with all relevant evidence in a timely manner.
“I don’t care if it’s by a carrier pigeon,” quipped the judge.
To allow the defense time to review all the evidence, Judge Hertzfeld rescheduled Ransom’s trial to begin on Jan. 13, 2027.
Parties are slated to reconvene for a trial readiness hearing on Jan. 5, 2027.
