Attorney Kevin O’Sullivan argued that his client Tommy Whack is suffering abuse in the DC Jail,but DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz refused to grant Whack pre-trial release on April 4.
Whack, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Fasil Teklemariam that occurred on Apr. 5, 2024, on the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW.
Whack’s attorney, Kevin Patrick O’Sullivan, argued that Whack’s Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendment rights were being violated during his confinement at the DC Jail. O’Sullivan additionally alleged that certain correctional officers were targeting and threatening Whack for personal reasons.
“As someone who cares about the treatment of people charged with crimes, it makes me unhappy to hear about the treatment in the DC jail,” said Judge Kravitz.
Judge Kravitz ruled that he couldn’t guarantee the safety of the community if he released Whack, due to the violent nature of the crime.
According to Judge Kravitz, DC law prohibits defendants charged with the most serious offenses from being released, even in emergency situations.
Parties are slated to reconvene June 27.
