DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro revoked a stabbing defendant’s release due to non-compliance on Aug. 6, holding him awaiting trial.
Billy Williams, 69, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury, threat to kidnap or injure a person while armed, and aggressive panhandling for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured one individual on Dec. 7, 2023. The incident occurred at the intersection of Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Avenue, NW.
Judge Di Toro said Williams continued to violate court orders and pointed to numerous curfew infractions and failures to appear for drug testing and for meetings with his case manager. She said there are no conditions she could set to ensure the safety of the community.
“What’s not working is Mr. Williams’ ability to be in the community,” Judge Di Toro said.
A Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative added that all of the drug testing Williams has done have come back positive for cocaine, the most recent one on July 17. The PSA representative said Williams told his case manager that he isn’t interested in getting treatment.
“I am not going to stop using,” Williams told the court at a previous hearing.
Williams’ defense attorney, Henry Escoto, instead requested the court remove GPS monitoring and discuss alternative options, like bed-to-bed treatment. He acknowledged that the current release conditions did not work.
Judge Di Toro denied Escoto’s request and marshals detained Williams.
Parties are slated to begin trial on Dec. 1.
