A DC Superior Court judge rescheduled a felony domestic violence defendant’s hearing due to technical difficulties.
The defendant is charged with stalking.
The defense had intended to take a plea deal during the virtual Oct. 5 hearing. Since both the defendant and victim are Hard of Hearing, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter was present.
However, the defendant was unable to get his screen to focus on the ASL interpreter, so he could not understand the proceedings.
The defendant is released on personal recognizance with orders to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA.) The prosecutor recommended that the defendant appears in person at the DC Superior Courthouse for his next hearing. However, he is currently living in Georgia.
Judge Michael O’Keefe decided to reschedule the hearing to Oct. 8 so the defense could have time to address the technical issues.
