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By
Elizabeth Bernstein
- November 6, 2024
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During a hearing on Nov. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ruled that a murder defendant will remain detained because she can’t take an addictive drug while in treatment for drug abuse.
Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is charged with second-degree murder for her alleged involvement in the stabbing death of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd, which occurred on June 22 on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE.
According to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA), Bonaparte was denied treatment at Regional Addiction Prevention (RAP) program, a mandatory, in-patient, bed-to-bed drug treatment program, because she is taking a potentially addictive opioid in a jail program to treat pain a previous injury.
Bonaparte’s attorney, Kevann Gardner, argued that Bonaparte is being unfairly penalized because she needs substance abuse treatment.
PSA and the prosecution asked that Bonaparte continue to be held at the jail, citing prior noncompliance with release conditions.
Judge Raffinan voiced concerns that Bonaparte would choose to abandon her treatment just to win release, and stated that, at this time, she believes Bonaparte needs to finish her current treatment program so that she can set herself up for success and compliance when released.
Judge Raffinan ordered a follow up report for the next hearing and for that Bonaparte be held,
Parties will reconvene on Nov. 18.