Man Sentenced to Serve 6 Months for Attempted Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

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A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant to serve six months for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. 

John Doughty was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a high capacity feeding device before he took a plea deal in April.

Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Doughty to two years, with all but six months suspended, and 18 months of supervised probation.

During the June 1 proceeding, Doughty repeatedly said that the way he acted was out of his typical character. He repeatedly told the judge “that wasn’t me.”

The judge agreed.

The defendant has no criminal history, and his friends and family wrote letters to the court on his behalf.

“Since I’ve been [in jail,] I’ve been getting back in touch with God,” said Doughty, who has been detained since his initial hearing in January. He promised Judge Brandt that she would never see him again.

As part of his probation, the defendant must not possess firearms or dangerous weapons and stay away from the victims. He must also register as a gun offender.