Judge Sentences Domestic Violence Defendant for Breaking Victim’s Jaw

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 23, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve 16 months for breaking his victim’s jaw.

Dewayne Edwards pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury back in June. During the Aug. 23 hearing, Judge John Campbell sentenced him to 22 months with all but 16 suspended in accordance with the prosecution’s recommendation. The defense had asked for all of the sentence to be suspended except for the time he has already served, but Judge Campbell cited the seriousness of the offense in his decision to give the defendant a higher penalty. 

“You need to sit down and think about what you did,” the victim told Edwards in an impact statement. 

The victim said she is still recovering from her injuries and has a metal plate that will remain in her jaw for the rest of her life. 

“I had to learn how to eat again,” she said. “I had to drink through a straw.”

The prosecutor noted that the defendant also broke the victim’s ribs in 2018. She also said he called her from the jail after he was arrested, violating court orders in doing so. 

Defense attorney Gemma Stevens said her client has “great remorse” for his actions, and that he made those phone calls because he wanted to apologize to her.

Edwards said he “feel(s) horrible about what happened” and understands that he must refrain from contacting the victim going forward.

“I love her enough to leave her alone,” he said.

Judge Campbell said he believes Edwards is apologetic, but also said, “I think part of the reason you’re sorry…is because it caused you to end up where you are.” 

Edwards, who has been held at DC Jail since he picked up the case on April 20, will receive credit for time served. His sentence will be followed by 18 months of supervised probation. Conditions of his probation include staying away from the victim, receiving a substance abuse assessment as well as treatment as deemed necessary by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and participating in a domestic violence intervention program, which is to include anger management. 

Edwards must also pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime compensation fund.