DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced a stabbing defendant to four years of incarceration after she considered his lengthy mental health history during a sentencing on June 25.
James Petticolas, 41, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, second-degree burglary while armed, and destruction of property less than $1,000 for his involvement in non-fatal stabbing on the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, NW on May 10, 2024. The victim sustained one stab wound to his back.
Petticolas pleaded guilty on March 28 to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon. Petticolas attacked a store owner with an open flame and then slashed him across the back with a box cutter.
“I do apologize for that day. I wish it ain’t ever happened,” said Petticolas during his sentencing.
Petticolas’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, argued his actions resulted from Petticolas’ PTSD from a shooting incident in which he was the victim. “We do realize his mental health was triggered that day,” said King, adding that “he snapped.”
King alleged prosecutors misrepresented the evidence to exaggerate the severity of Petticolas’ conduct. King noted Petticolas was acquitted of charges in another case, after a bench trial that considered his mental health.
King asked Judge Brandt to not impose a sentence near the top of the guideline. She asked for the minimum 24 months for the assault charge and further supervised release for the possession charge. She said that Petticolas intended to take responsibility for his actions from the outset of the case and highlighted that this should grant him credit in the sentence decision.
Prosecutors argued for a maximum sentence of 66 months for the assault charge and 16 months for the possession charge to run concurrently. They emphasized the violent and unwarranted nature of the attack. He was “provoked into some kind of anger…chased down and stabbed [the victim] in the back,” said prosecutors.
The prosecution said Petticolas acted intentionally and that he inflicted harm on the victim. Prosecutors asked Judge Brandt to consider the psychological impact on the victim when she imposed the sentence.
Judge Brandt commended Petticolas for his early admission of guilt, and noted that Petticolas’ mental health history and limited criminal record made the sentence difficult. However, she also agreed that the nature of the offense and the severity of the victim’s injuries required appropriate punishment.
Judge Brandt sentenced Petticolas to 48 months of incarceration with three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon and 12 months of incarceration with one year of supervised release for the possession of a prohibited weapon. Petticolas will serve the sentences concurrently and complete mental health treatment upon release.
No further dates were set.
