Judge Orders Full Mental Exam for Stabbing Defendant

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean ordered a full mental examination for a stabbing defendant on Feb. 19 after reviewing a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).

Sarita Middleton, 45, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1700 block of Columbia Road, NW, on Feb. 11.

According to court documents, the incident occurred while Middleton waited for food at a restaurant. An employee sustained minor lacerations to their arm.

The records say, an order for a preliminary screening to determine Middleton’s competency was filed on Feb 13.

During the hearing, Middleton’s presence was waived due to a delay at the DC Jail. Judge McLean determined that the defendant was deemed mentally incompetent by DBH, and ordered a full mental examination be done at the jail. To stand trial a defendant must understand the charges and help in his defense.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 1.

Fatal Stabbing Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Feb. 13.

Donald Shields, 47, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a prohibited weapon for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 36-year-old Dominique Ratiff at the intersection of Dupont Circle and the 1900 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW on Dec. 30, 2024.

The court formally arraigned Shields on the indictment charges against him and his attorney, Bernadette Armand, entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Armand asserted Shields’ right to a jury trial.

Armand also asked to remove Shields from his GPS monitoring, a condition of his release. Judge Kravitz instructed Armand to file a written motion for prosecutors’ response.

Parties are set to reconvene on April 24.

DNA Evidence Missing in Shooting Case

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz heard testimony from the prosecution about lost DNA evidence in a shooting case involving two suspects on Feb. 13.

Eric Latney, 29, and James Crossland, 29, are both being charged with one count of assault with intent to kill, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime. All charges stem from their alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting that occurred on the 200 block of 56th Street, NE and the 5600 block of Blaine Street, NE on July 8, 2021.

Crossland’s defense attorney, Hannah Claudio, said the prosecution had lost evidence of Crossland’s DNA. Claudio asked for the DNA to be sent over so that the defense can conduct their own testing.

The prosecution responded that the DNA evidence was returned to the office after testing and delivered to the third floor. The evidence was then left by a previous prosecutor who was away at the time and has not returned.

Judge Kravitz asked the defense what they wished to do at this time, due to the DNA evidence being lost.

Claudio responded with the intent to file a motion of dismissal on grounds of failure to preserve evidence by the prosecution. Nikki Lotze, Latney’s defense attorney, responded similarly, with the intent to file a motion in their case due to loss of evidence. Lotze intended to use Crossland’s DNA as evidence in their case.

Judge Kravitz asked the prosecution to clarify how the evidence got lost.

The prosecutors stated they have searched the entire third floor and all designated offices, but the DNA remains missing. Despite being unable to find the evidence, the prosecution insisted the DNA is somewhere on the third floor.

Lotze, also filed a motion to sever his case from Crossland. The defense attorney said she would call Crossland as a witness.

Judge Kravitz responded to the motion by clarifying he will need to examine the scope of Crossland’s testimony before deciding on the motion.

Judge Kravitz set up briefing dates for motions to be filed in the case. Defense must file motions by March 20, and the prosecution has until April 17 to respond.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for an update on May 1.

Stabbing Defendant With Checkered Record Sentenced to 20 Months

A non-fatal stabbing defendant who struggled with drugs received 20 months jail time during a sentencing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Feb. 20.

Dennis Christie, 49, pleaded guilty on Dec. 8, 2025 to assault with significant bodily injury while armed and possession of a prohibited weapon in connection to a non-fatal stabbing which occurred on April 22, 2024 at the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE. The victim sustained a stab wound to the abdomen.

At sentencing, the prosecution requested that Christie be sentenced to the top end of the guidelines because he admitted to stabbing the victim while he was on probation for another incident.

The prosecution claimed the support for a high sentence “rest[s] in the papers,” referring to his written sentencing argument.

Lauckland Nicholas, Christie’s attorney, asked Judge Di Toro to consider that Christie changed as a person since the incident.

“He wants to make a change…give him a chance,” Nicholas said.

On behalf of Christie, Nicholas requested a split sentence between jail and probation emphasizing rehabilitation.

“He can’t afford to be back in prison,” Nicholas said referring to his previous convictions.
Christie talked about his history with drug abuse and his rehabilitation efforts. There was a stretch where he was clean for three-to-four years, said Christie.

According to Christie, his decision to quit drugs came after an incident prior to this stabbing. “I made the decision that I never wanted to be in someone’s courtroom,” Christie said, referring to when he was released from prison in 2021.

Christie talked about his desire to change his behavior and stay clean from drugs. “We had all our children in one place. It was the most beautiful thing,” Christie said about his family inspiring him to change his behavior.

“I’m ready to get hold of my life,” concluded Christie.

Judge Di Toro noted that across Christie’s adult life, most of his issues with the law resulted from his addiction to heroin. She considered his history of drug abuse and his period of “relative stability” without drugs.

The judge acknowledged that the “consequences for this must be real” as the victim was significantly injured and treated in the hospital but sentenced Christie to the “lower end of the guidelines.”

Christie was sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment for the assault charge, 12 months for the possession charge, to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Di Toro did not sentence Christie to probation since he was on probation when the stabbing occurred. As part of his supervised release, Christie must receive drug treatment and refrain from all substances.

No further dates were set.

Prosecution Charges a Stabbing Defendant, Despite Homicide Acquittal

Prosecutors alerted DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz that they plan to move forward with a defendant’s charges on Feb. 13, despite a jury acquitting the defendant of all other charges.

Malik Seltzer, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 3900 block of 1st Street, SE on Sept.15, 2021.

Prosecution argued that Seltzer allegedly stabbed the victim due to him believing the victim was an eyewitness witness to a murder allegedly committed by Seltzer on that same day.

Seltzer was tried on those charges and was acquitted of them by a jury on Jan. 22, 2026.

Seltzer is currently serving a sentence for an unrelated case, and is expected to be released in April 2027. Defense attorneys Kevann Gardner and Bernadette Armand asked that the defendant be released from custody if his sentence is up in the previous case before the trial date for this case.

Judge Kravitz denied the motion for now as the defendant is still serving his sentence. Judge Kravitz asked defense attorneys to file a motion closer to Seltzer’s release date in 2027 if the trial, which is scheduled for June 2027, is still planned.

Judge Kravitz asked the prosecution if the stabbing victim would still be in the jurisdiction for the trial date. The prosecutor responded by saying the complainant may leave before then to serve a sentence in the Bureau of Prisons (BoP), but will be able to return for the trial to testify if needed.

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 14.

Judge Denies Domestic Stabbing Defendant’s Release After Finding Her Mentally Competent

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno denied the release of a defendant in a domestic violence stabbing case after finding her mentally competent to stand trial on Feb. 20.

Tonya Elliott, 30, is charged in connection with stabbing her romantic partner at the time, who sustained four wounds. During the hearing, the court determined Elliott was mentally competent, distinguishing between her ability to understand the charges as opposed to any underlying mental health issues.

Elliott requested a jury trial, which was scheduled for May 28, with a trial readiness hearing set for May 15. The incident occurred on Dec. 6, 2025, on the 5400 block of Connecticut Avenue NW.

Judge Salerno said he was not convinced Elliott had sufficiently managed her mental health issues to ensure community safety even though Elliott’s defense attorney, Matthew Rist said her problems were controlled through medication she received while incarcerated.

Rist emphasized Elliott’s lack of prior convictions, strong family and community support as reasons for her release. He said she is not dangerous to the community and would return to court as required.

However, the prosecutor opposed release, citing the violence and serious nature of the offense. The prosecution argued that the domestic violence allegations and the severity of the victim’s injuries weighed against her release and the judge agreed.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a trial readiness hearing on May 15.

Judge Releases Stabbing Defendant For Mental Health Treatment Because, ‘I Believe Her’

A Judge said “I believe her,” as defendant stated she was receiving mental health treatment during her sentencing before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Feb. 12.

On Oct. 17, 2025, Devyn Cyphers, 28, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a stabbing on July 31, 2025 on the 300 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. The victim, a close friend of Cyphers, sustained a puncture wound to her neck but survived the attack.

According to court documents, the victim allegedly received a phone call from Cyphers. The victim invited her over to her apartment thinking Cyphers was “in need” of a friend.

When the victim opened the door, Cyphers allegedly stabbed her in the neck and proceeded to threaten her with a gun. The victim managed to break away from Cyphers and ran to the bedroom where she and her boyfriend hid and called the police.

In a victim impact statement read by the prosecution on Feb. 12, the victim recalled “crawling on the floor screaming at [Cyphers] not to shoot.”

“Regardless of the lock and doors, I was the one who invited a friend in need over,” the victim wrote, “why did she show up and choose to hurt me?”

Cyphers’ defense attorney, Peter Odom, argued that Cyphers had suffered a psychotic break at the time of the incident. He presented surveillance footage of Cyphers being taken away from the interview room, she resisted and was tackled to the ground by four officers. He noted her behavior in the footage was out of character for Cyphers, given her mental turmoil.

Odom brought forward Cyphers’ family to give statements on her character and advocate for her release.

“My sister is a good person,” Cypher’s sister said, “what has already happened to her will punish her for the rest of her life.”

The prosecutor claimed there have been no recent reports of Cyphers’ compliance with medical treatment since Dec. 15, 2025. He was concerned for the safety of the community and validity of Cyphers’ attempt at recovery.

At the time of the incident and immediately after, the prosecution said that Cyphers may not have been aware nor could she recollect what happened. However, now that she remembers, she must be held accountable.

It is not “about what is best for Devyn Cyphers” but what is “appropriate for this case,” the prosecution said when talking about Cyphers’ sentence. He requested the court confine Cyphers’ for 60 months.

Judge Hertzfeld called the prosecution’s proposal solely “retribution.”

“[The] only real reason for her to serve time is to punish her,” Judge Hertzfeld said.

In her statement to the court, Cyphers’ mother was upset by the possible confinement, believing that her daughter should not be punished for a medical emergency.

“Psychosis happened to her, not by her,” Cyphers’ mother said.

In an apology to the victim on behalf of the family, the mother said “I am so sorry she needed a medical bed, [but] I will never forgive myself for not knowing my daughter needed one too.”

Cyphers was given the chance to speak about the incident and her actions since Dec. 15. “I still love her,” she said about the victim. “She would not want an apology but action,” Cyphers said about the victim. “She would want me to be a woman of action.”

Cyphers asserted that she has been in treatment and “working everyday to understand” what happened.

The prosecution continued to press that Cyphers may not be taking the prescribed anti-psychotics because of medical reports are lacking.

Judge Hertzfeld pushed back, stating “I believe her.”

Judge Hertzfeld imposed a 30 months sentence, suspended, with three years of supervised release, suspended, and required Cyphers to be on supervised probation for two years, with requirements to undergo mental health treatment and stay away from the victim.

Judge Hertzfeld noted the strong support from Cyphers’ family, who had been present throughout the proceedings as a reason to release Cyphers.

“Your honor has saved her life,” Cyphers’ mother said.

No further dates were set.

Judge Grants Defense Motion for Shooting Acquittal Over Alleged Witness Threat

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe granted a defense motion to acquit a defendant on his obstruction of justice charge related to a shooting on Feb. 13.

Dominick Jackson, 41, was convicted by a jury on Oct. 8, 2025 of obstruction of justice for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Nov. 20, 2022, on the 700 block of 12th Street, NE. A victim sustained gunshot wounds to his right thigh.

On Dec. 31, 2025, Kevin Robertson, Jackson’s attorney filed a motion asking for acquittal for the obstruction of justice charge against Jackson. Robertson argued in the motion that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof for this charge during the trial.

According to the motion, the victim’s girlfriend, who was also reportedly romantically involved with Jackson, testified during the trial. Robertson wrote that prosecutors asked the victim, “Have you ever been threatened in relation to your involvement in this case?”

Robertson argued in the motion that the terms “relation,” “involvement,” and “case” were not defined by prosecutors or the victim during her testimony. Therefore, the charges should be dismissed because it was unclear if the statements were during the “official proceeding” of the case.

At the hearing, Robertson asked when the alleged threat of the obstruction charge was made. Prosecutors did not respond.

Judge Pipe questioned whether or not the information about when the threat occurred was presented to the jury during the trial. The prosecutors responded that they were unsure if it was brought up before the jury.

Without evidence of when the threat originated or if it was clearly presented to the jury, Judge Pipe decided that she could not sentence Jackson for the crime.

Judge Pipe acquitted Jackson of the remaining charge without objection from prosecutors.

The case was dismissed and no further dates were set.

Carjacking Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

Two carjacking co-defendants pleaded not guilty at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Feb. 20.

Antonio Lucas, 19, and Devirio Williams, 23, are charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and receiving stolen property in connection to their alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on Nov. 21, 2025 near Minnesota Ave and Benning Road, NE and a subsequent crash at the intersection of New York and Montana Avenues, NE.

Lucas is additionally charged with unarmed carjacking, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery, first-degree theft, an additional count of unauthorized use of a vehicle, receiving stolen property, two counts of fleeing a law enforcement officer, two counts of destruction of property more than $1,000, two counts of reckless driving, and two counts of leaving after colliding causing property damage or injury to an animal.

Williams is additionally charged with tampering with physical evidence.

According to court documents, Lucas, with the help of Williams, reportedly stole a Honda and proceeded to flee recklessly from law enforcement then colliding with other vehicles. An off-duty FBI agent joined the pursuit, leaving behind a government vehicle, which Lucas allegedly stole.

At the hearing, the court formally arraigned Lucas and Willaims on the indictment charges against them and Williams’ attorney, Lucas Dansie, and Lucas’ attorney, Theodoore Shaw, entered pleas of not guilty on their behalf.

The parties are slated to reconvene on March 2.

Co-Defendant in Shooting Case Rejects Plea Deal, Seeks New Lawyer

A non-fatal shooting defendant rejected a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Feb. 20.

Kenneth Johnson, 32, and Vance McIlwain, 33, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, endangerment with a firearm in a public place, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Johnson is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year.

These charges stem from Johnson and McIlwain’s alleged involvement in an assault that injured one victim on Nov. 8, 2024 on the 700 block of Chesapeake Street, SE.

Johnson was present at the hearing alongside his attorney, Matthew Davies. McIlwain was not, but his attorney, Lisabeth Sapirstein, appeared on his behalf.

The prosecution said they previously extended a plea offer to the defendants that would require them to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In exchange, the prosecution would dismiss all other charges in this case and cap their sentencing request to eight years of imprisonment.

Johnson told the court he rejected the plea offer. Judge Park confirmed that Johnson talked to his lawyer about the decision and rejected the plea voluntarily.

Johnson and McIlwain’s trial is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2026.

After Johnson rejected the plea offer, Judge Park asked if he was satisfied with the help his lawyer has provided him thus far and Johnson responded “no.”

After speaking with Johnson and Davies under the husher, Judge Park announced that Johnson had requested new counsel but determined that the matter would require a longer conversation. Additionally, Johnson’s rejection of the plea deal would have to be restated after the issue of counsel is resolved, noted Judge Park.

On behalf of McIlwain, Sapirstein said that her client wanted to resolve the case prior to trial.

Judge Park told Johnson that he might not grant his request to change counsel because it would be unfair to delay McIlwain’s trial.

Parties for both defendants are slated to reconvene on March 6.

He ‘Went Way Too Far,’ Prosecutor Says in Shooting Trial Opening

Jurors heard the victim’s testimony about an angry confrontation among a group that deteriorated into a brawl, then a shooting in a trial on Feb. 19 before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Gerald Day, 34, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and threatening to kidnap or injure a person for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman after a fight on Oct. 29, 2023, at the intersection of O Street and Carrollsburg Place, SW.

Day’s co-defendant, Paul Poston, 32, was sentenced on June 26, 2024, to two years of imprisonment, with all but 10 months suspended, for shooting at the same victim’s car after the altercation.

“[Day] went way too far, and he knew it,” said prosecutors in their opening and claimed Day assaulted the victim with a firearm that he was not licensed to own. They explained that Day, a Special Police Officer at Howard University, was off-duty at the time of the incident.

According to the prosecution, the night of the incident, the victim recognized a man standing with a larger group and confronted him. The interaction escalated, but prosecutors said Day showed no urgency approaching the victim, who was trying to stop fighting with Day’s significant other, until the victim brandished Mace, a chemical weapon.

Day then allegedly pulled out his gun and said, “I’ll blow your ass up,” claimed prosecutors. The victim tried to go to her car after Day’s threat, but Day charged towards her and slapped his gun against the windshield of her vehicle, asserted prosecutors.

The prosecution claimed that they have video footage as evidence of the entire incident, as well as statements from multiple witnesses, including the victim, that will prove Day guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Day’s attorney, Steven Polin, claimed the victim was very confrontational and attacked Day’s significant other with Mace ace, saying “I’ve got something for you,” which prompted Day to pull out his gun.

Polin claimed Day acted in self-defense and urged the jury to question why he was even on trial?

According to the victim’s complex testimony, she was driving away from a Halloween party with a friend, when she saw a man she had a “fling” with, accompanied by an unfamiliar woman, and a larger group. The victim said she also recognized Day’s significant other as the sister of the unfamiliar woman.

The victim said another woman in the group looked similar to Day’s significant other and the unknown woman, leading her to believe the three women were related. According to the victim, she concluded they would attack her since she had previous issues with Day’s significant other. The victim said that upon thinking she would be attacked, she decided to fight back rather than run away.

The victim said she was “jumped”, claiming there were six to eight people in the group, against her. The victim added that she did not intend to fight and kept her head down during the altercation. Polin later pointed out that this apparently contradicted her original statement that she decided to fight.

The victim said she used Mace twice at one of the women in the group. However, she said that when Day first pointed the gun at her she was retreating.

During cross-examination, Polin stated the victim told the prosecution via email that she wanted to smack him. The victim denied this, saying she was actually referring to Day’s other attorney, James Valentine, who had “smirked” at her. The victim added that her exact words were that she “could smack the shit out of him.”

According to Polin, the witness told the officer who responded to the scene that this all started because she “saw a bitch I didn’t like.”

Polin concluded by detailing the victim’s history of credit card fraud, credit card forgery, and shoplifting.

Due to time constraints, Polin will finish cross-examination of the victim when parties reconvene on Feb. 23.

Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer Ahead of Trial

A shooting defendant rejected a plea offer during jury selection before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Feb. 18.

Day’s co-defendant, Paul Poston, 32, was sentenced on June 26, 2024, to two years of imprisonment, with all but 10 months suspended, for shooting at the same victim’s car after the altercation.

Prior to jury selection, the prosecutors said they extended a revised plea offer to Day that would require him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license. In exchange, the prosecution would drop all other charges in the case.

Day’s attorney, Steven Polin, said Day wanted to proceed to trial, formally rejecting the plea offer.

Parties completed jury selection and are set to reconvene to begin the trial on Feb. 19.

Murder Defendant Gets Sanity Evaluation For Criminal Responsibility

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman agreed on Feb. 17 to send a murder-by-arson defendant for a criminal responsibility mental examination. The evaluation could result in a possible plea of not guilty by insanity.

D’Aundrey Scott, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and arson for his alleged involvement in the burning of 62-year-old Darryl Finney, on May 13, 2020 on the 900 block of H Street, NE. On the same day, Scott was charged with assault with intent to kill and another count of arson in connection to his alleged involvement in the non-fatal burning of another victim on the 1300 block of H Street, NE.

According to court documents, Scott allegedly carried out an arson spree from the hours of 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. During the attacks, Scott reportedly threw a burning T-shirt at one victim, who survived unharmed and threw a firebomb at Finney, who died from severe burns on May 15, 2020.

The attacks also allegedly included two house fires that investigators linked to Scott’s actions.

In a hearing on Feb. 17, Judge Edelman found Scott mentally competent to stand trial, meaning he understands the charges he faces and can work with his lawyer. However, he could still stage an insanity plea by claiming he didn’t know right from wrong, nor was able to abide by the law.

Prior to the hearing, Scott was placed in the Central Treatment Facility (CTF) of the DC Jail following mental competency restoration treatment at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients.

Scott’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, requested a criminal responsibility examination and recommended that Scott be returned to CTF.

The court agreed.

Parties are slated to reconvene March 27.

Domestic Stabbing Defendant’s Case Dismissed

A stabbing defendant’s case was dismissed after prosecutors were not prepared to move forward in a preliminary hearing for a second time, before DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones on Feb. 17.

Lauren Dawkins, 24, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 4200 block of Eads Street, NE on Dec. 10, 2025. The victim, identified as Dawkins’ fiance, sustained one stab wound.

Dawkins’ defense attorney, Anthony Dimillo, alerted the court that Dawkins intended to move forward with the preliminary hearing.

The prosecution told the court they were not ready to move forward with the hearing, prompting Dimillo to ask Judge Jones to dismiss the case.

Judge Jones granted the dismissal of the case for want of prosecution, which means the prosecution failed to move forward with the case, but warned Dawkins that prosecutors could still seek indictment if desired.

He ordered that Dawkins call Dimillo every other Tuesday and confirm her address with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) in case a letter of indictment was sent to her.

No further dates were scheduled.

Judge Sentences Co-Defendants For 2020 Near Fatal Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced two co-defendants at a hearing on Feb. 13 for their roles in a 2020 non-fatal shooting.

On Nov. 20, 2025, Daniel Cary, 31, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a July 22, 2020 shooting that injured a woman on the 4000 block of 1st Street, SE. Likewise, Chantel Stewart, 34, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to assault with a dangerous weapon and was previously convicted of threatening to kidnap or injure in connection to the shooting.

According to court documents, Stewart drove Cary to the scene. Judge Brandt noted that the victim said Stewart warned her “he’s about to shoot you” moments before the shooting occurred, allowing her to drive away. Cary exited a vehicle and fired multiple shots as she fled. The victim was struck in the back, crashed near a hospital entrance, and, despite bleeding heavily, managed to get inside for help. She underwent three surgeries. Stewart later failed to cooperate with police.

The victim was unavailable to provide an impact statement to the court.

Prosecutors asked for sentences at the top of the guidelines for both defendants. They argued Cary endangered not only the victim but the broader community by firing multiple shots in a residential area, and did not accept responsibility until after a jury trial on assault with intent to kill while armed ended in a hung jury.

For Stewart, prosecutors pointed to her lack of cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) investigation after the shooting, alleging she lied about driving the vehicle, failed to contact police, and responded dismissively when contacted by the victim’s sister. They also recommended anger management classes based on her arrest history.

Stewart’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, urged the court to impose a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines. He argued Stewart faced a difficult choice in deciding whether to accept a plea that would send her and her ex-boyfriend to prison, while also dealing with the breakdown of a close friendship with the victim. He said she has changed since the incident and that the case had been prolonged by delays. Stewart told the court she felt bad for the situation and the strain it caused her family.

Cary’s defense attorney, Alvin Thomas, asked for the five-year mandatory minimum sentence to run concurrently. He said Cary had been in negotiations for a “wired” plea agreement for a long time but did not initially plead guilty because Stewart did not want to accept the deal. Wired plea agreements require all defendants to accept it in order for it to be valid.

Thomas described Cary as quiet and remorseful, employed in construction, and living with his mother. He emphasized this was Cary’s first felony conviction.

In a letter read by his attorney, Cary apologized to the victim and her family, writing that jail had changed him and that he now understands how one bad decision can drastically alter lives.

Judge Brandt said she did not interpret Cary’s reserved demeanor as a lack of remorse. While acknowledging that both defendants appeared to have experienced trauma, she emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the lasting impact on the victim. She reflected on the victim’s resilience in driving herself to the hospital after being shot.

Brandt sentenced Stewart to one year of incarceration, suspended, and three years of supervised release, suspended, with one year of probation for accessory after the fact, requiring completion of a conflict resolution class. On the threatening conviction, she imposed one year of incarceration, suspended, and three years of supervised release, suspended, with one year of probation, to run concurrently. Stewart must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund for each count.

Brandt sentenced Cary to nine years of imprisonment on the aggravated assault charge, followed by three years of supervised release, and five years on the firearm charge, followed by three years of supervised release, to run concurrently. He must pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund for each count and register as a gun offender in DC upon release.

No further dates were set.

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