Judge Vacates Preliminary Hearing, Denies Release Request

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 16, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects |

On Oct. 16, a DC Superior Court judge vacated a preliminary hearing due to a possible plea deal in the works and pending DNA testing. 

Delonte King, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing a victim on June 6 on the 2600 block of 14th Street, NW. 

The preliminary would have been held to determine if King’s case has enough evidence to go to trial. However, it was changed to a bond review hearing.

King’s attorney, Colleen Archer, asked that her client be released into the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP.) 

Archer argued that there are inconsistencies in the victim’s story. She also pointed out that King’s last conviction was a drug-related offense from 2004. 

The prosecution argued against King’s release, arguing that the two stab wounds on the victim illustrates the severity of the case. The two wounds are in the chest area, close to vital organs, according to police documents. 

The prosecution also mentioned that the defendant has had a history with PCP. 

Judge Erik Christian said he recognized that there might be some inconsistencies in the victim’s story, but it doesn’t undercut the strength of the prosecution’s case. 

“He’s had multiple PCP cases and two or three executed bench warrants,” he said. 

King will remain held at DC Jail until his next hearing, which is scheduled on Dec. 9.

Saif Habboub wrote this article