A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom convicted a defendant on Aug. 26 for his involvement in a stabbing.
John Scoggins, 55, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault while armed for his involvement in the stabbing of a friend on Dec. 9, 2024. The incident occurred at a bus stop on the 1700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.
Throughout the trial prosecutors presented evidence, including testimony and footage, of moments leading up to, during, and after the stabbing. The prosecution proved Scoggins and the victim were close friends who engaged in a verbal dispute while they rode a Metro bus for 20 minutes before the incident.
In videos recovered from the bus, Scoggins and the victim could be seen hassling each other, with Scoggins telling the victim at one point “I’ll tear your a** up,” before they left the bus and a physical fight ensued.
Other surveillance footage showed Scoggins stab the victim multiple times, with the final blow hitting the victim’s chest.
The jury acquitted Scoggins of assault with intent to kill while armed, but convicted him of the lesser included charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, as well as aggravated assault while armed.
The defendant, who has been on release since January of 2025, will remain on release pending sentencing.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 30.
