DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a motion to release a stabbing defendant considering a plea deal at a status hearing on March 12.
Randy Brown, 34, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1100 block of 7th Street, NW on Aug. 7, 2025. The victim sustained significant injuries with visible lacerations to the nose and neck.
At the hearing, Judge Kravitz alerted the parties to an oral motion at a hearing on Jan. 23 when the defense asked for Brown’s release.
The prosecution proffered new evidence in which they claim a Special Police Officer (SPO) identified Brown in surveillance footage near the scene. An SPO is designated to carry a firearm and act as an officer for a specific location.
According to the prosecution, the SPO worked in the lobby of Brown’s grandmother’s apartment building. The SPO told investigators that guests had to check in with him at the front desk with identification and he recognized Brown because he would visit his grandmother two-to-three times a week.
The prosecution added that Brown’s grandmother had also identified him in the footage.
Brown’s attorney, Alvin Thomas, argued that the identification did not strengthen the prosecution’s case, saying that evidence at most placed Brown at the scene but did not prove he committed the stabbing.
Judge Kravitz then asked the prosecution to play surveillance clips of the incident. The first clip allegedly showed the suspect attacking the victim while the second clip depicted a clearer image of the suspect near the crime scene. The suspect wore a white t-shirt with shorts and leggings underneath.
After reviewing the footage, Judge Kravitz denied the defense request for release. He said Thomas’ argument that the evidence was not strong enough to hold Brown was inaccurate.
The parties also discussed plea negotiations. Thomas said the prosecution extended a counter-offer about two weeks ago, but his client has not yet had time to review it.
The prosecution put on the record that if Brown were to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, they would not seek an indictment with additional charges. They would limit their sentence request to a maximum of five years of imprisonment. The prosecutor indicated the guidelines for sentencing on this charge are two-and-a-half-to-six years.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 20.
