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By
Adriana Marroquin
- January 13, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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stabbing
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Suspects
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DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt released a stabbing defendant to an in-patient drug treatment program on Jan. 10.
John Scogins, 53, is charged with aggravated assault and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured one individual on Dec. 9, 2024, at a bus stop on the 1700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.
According to court documents, Scogins, the victim, and a third individual were aboard a bus when a verbal altercation ensued between the victim and Scogins, before it led to a physical altercation that turned into a stabbing.
Alvin Thomas, Scogins’ attorney, had requested he be released during a Jan. 7 hearing. Judge Brandt delayed the ruling, stating she wanted Scogins to receive a drug and mental health assessment by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) to see if he was eligible for release.
During the hearing on Jan. 10, a PSA representative told Judge Brandt Scogins was eligible for a 30-day in-patient treatment program for drugs, but was ineligible for mental health treatment from PSA.
The prosecution objected to the request for release to a treatment program, stating that residential treatments allow the defendants to “come and go as they please,” stating she was worried about him leaving based on an outstanding bench warrant from Frederick County, Maryland, issued in 2018.
The representative from PSA clarified that Scogins could wear a GPS monitor during his time at the treatment facility, and Thomas argued Scogin’s wife had assured him she would ensure he won’t run away.
Judge Brandt said the weight of the evidence against Scogins is “relatively significant,” despite Thomas stating they plan to argue self-defense – stating the victim threw the first punch.
“I don’t worry that he’s a danger to the community,” Judge Brandt stated, adding she would require a stay-away order that would prohibit Scogins from contacting or being near the victim.
She ordered him to reside with his wife once treatment is successfully completed.
Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 24.