Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant for Attempted Arson

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 14, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a domestic violence defendant’s release to a nearby residential reentry center during her April 14 sentencing hearing.

Ashley Allen pleaded down from her initial charge of arson to attempted arson. She was sentenced to 16 months, all of which were suspended, plus 18 months of probation. She has to spend 30 days at the reentry center. 

According to the proffer of facts, Allen trapped the victim in an apartment by starting a fire. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel found the victim unconscious from smoke inhalation, but the victim did not sustain life threatening injuries. The fire was contained and there were no casualties.

During the April 14 proceedings, the prosecution said they understood Allen suffers from substance abuse and that she was on PCP at the time of the crime. However, the prosecutor said the nature of the crime was concerning because Allen endangered the lives of many people, which could not be taken lightly. The prosecution requested an 18 month sentence.

Defense attorney Julie Swaney said part of the reason she requested a short-split sentence is due to the pandemic. She said that, because of the confinement procedures at correctional treatment facilities due to the pandemic, being incarcerated is a more severe punishment than usual. 

Allen said she would like the court to know that she has been fully compliant with previous probation conditions and would do so again if she was released. She also said she was sorry for her actions and recognized the severity of what she did.

However, she said she wanted to provide the court with context for what she did and clarified she was not making an excuse. 

Allen said that, leading up to the offense, she was on a two-day PCP binge and was beaten with a broom for 10 minutes by the victim the prior night. 

After hearing from everyone, Judge Julie Becker said the crime committed was serious, but she recognized Allen has a limited criminal history, mostly consisting of traffic violations.

Judge Becker also noted that Allen called 911 immediately, expressed sincere remorse for her actions and promptly turned herself in and pleaded guilty. 

Judge Becker said the four-and-a-half months Allen served at DC Jail as a pretrial detainee was sufficient for now. She ordered Allen to undergo a mental health screening and evaluation as well as assessment and treatment as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

Allen must also undergo drug testing and is ordered to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime (VVC) fund and stay away from the victim.