Judge Revokes Defendant’s Pretrial Release

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 31, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge John McCabe revoked a defendant’s pretrial release in three domestic violence misdemeanor cases due to noncompliance reports and a felony arrest.

The defendant has been held since July 16 after he was arrested, while on pretrial release, for assault with a dangerous weapon. 

The July 29 hearing was held to address his alleged violation reports with pretrial release, which were filed on June 9, July 2 and July 10.

The defendant, 43, is charged with destruction of property less than $1,000, assault with a dangerous weapon, violation of a Civil Protection Order (CPO) and violation of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO).

“He is somebody who is in need of multiple visits a week with mental health services,” said defense attorney Sean Coleman. “Jail will not get him better.”

Coleman said prior to the pandemic, the defendant met with a caseworker three times a week to discuss his mental health issues.

The prosecution requested that the defendant’s release be terminated, citing his long criminal history. 

“To my count he has 15 priors, many of which are violent,” said the prosecution. 

A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) officer said the defendant violated a stay away order for three minutes on July 1 and four hours on July 3. 

The prosecution read a victim impact statement, which said “the stress of not knowing whether or not [the defendant] will show up at her doorstep has deteriorated her health conditions.” 

Coleman said there is no evidence that his client had any contact with the victim. He said the defendant, who was only in the area to take a bus near his house, did not realize he was violating the stay away order. 

The officer said the defendant was “verbally abusive” and “extremely aggressive” during a meeting to discuss his stay away violations. 

The defendant apologized for his actions towards the officer. He said that, while not an excuse, he only acted out because he was concerned about getting to his first day of work on time. 

The officer also said that the defendant got his GPS monitor installed on June 18, which is 13 days later than he was supposed to. 

On July 15, someone called 911 because they were concerned about the defendant, who had been lying unconscious on the ground.

A D.C. Fire and Emergency Services dispatcher arrived to treat the defendant on the 4200 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. However, when he became alert, he said “get the f*** off of me,” flipped out a knife and chased the dispatcher around with it. 

According to court documents, the defendant appeared to be under the influence of a mind-altering substance during the offense. 

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.