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Defense Accuses Prosecution Of Ethical Breach in Shooting Case

Defense counsel in a non-fatal shooting case accused prosecutors of unethical conduct during a hearing on Aug. 20 before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur. 

Amonte Moody, 18, is charged with endangerment with a firearm and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting on April 22 on the 1700 block of Independence Avenue, SE. No injuries were reported. 

During the hearing, Judge Arthur confirmed a plea offer previously made to Moody was rejected in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 12. 

However, defense attorneys Kavya Naini and Molly Bunke stated that Moody did not understand the offer making it difficult to reach an informed decision.

Naini claimed the prosecution lied about what indictment charges Moody would face if he chose to reject the plea. According to Naini, in a phone conversation, the prosecution informed her that they would not seek indictment for assault with intent to kill. 

However, Moody was indicted on the charge. Given the apparent contradiction Naini argues that the prosecution engaged in unethical behavior and should not argue the case.

The prosecution didn’t respond to the allegations. 

Naini and Bunke also raised issues about the timely manner disclosure of evidence as well as the notice for expert witnesses. Judge Arthur informed parties he would not rule on these matters and would leave them to the trial judge DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein.

Parties requested the felony arraignment be continued and are scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 23.

Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

A shooting defendant accepted a plea offer extended by the prosecution in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Aug. 20. 

Kevin Snead, 41, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred at the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue, SE, on April 3. No injuries were reported. 

During the hearing, Samuel Bogash, Snead’s attorney, stated that his client intended to accept a pre-indictment plea offer extended by the prosecution. It would require Snead to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for not seeking an indictment on greater charges. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for sentencing on Oct. 18. 

Judge Revokes Carjacking Defendant’s Release, Orders Jail

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan revoked a carjacking defendant’s release status during a hearing on Aug. 20. 

Jerrell Smith, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, and two counts of armed carjacking for his involvement in a carjacking incident on June 7, 2023 at the intersection of South Capitol Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. 

According to court documents, Smith has been on release through the DC Pretrial Services (PSA) and has participated in outpatient treatment and mental health treatment programs. 

During the hearing, a representative from PSA informed the court that Smith has not been in contact since Aug. 5 and has not been in compliance with drug screening, which was a release requirement. 

The prosecution added that Smith has been discharged from the most recent treatment program and four treatment programs in the last few months. 

Both the prosecution and PSA requested Smith be detained in light of recent PSA violations. 

Judge Raffinan approved the detention request. 

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for status on Sept. 17. 

‘You Got the Wrong Guy,’ Defense Says About An Accident Leading to a Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein heard opening arguments and testimony for a case involving a car accident and a subsequent shooting in a hearing on Aug. 20. 

Marquez Beasley, 32, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident where a suspect fired four shots on Aug. 16, 2023, on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the incident occurred after an individual, identified as Beasley, got into a car accident with the victims where two individuals sustained injuries. 

Beasley allegedly attacked two passengers in the car and one bystander, says the prosecution. He allegedly hit one passenger over the head with his gun, shot one passenger in the thigh and shot the bystander in the right knee.  

During their opening statements, the prosecution mentioned that traffic accidents are “not unusual” and the normal expectation is people exchange information. Instead, the prosecution said while physically pointing at Beasley, he decided to attack others.

They said the victims attempted to share their insurance information with Beasley by having him talk to their mother since she owned the car they were driving. The prosecution said Beasley was “already angry” and decided to toss one of the victim’s phones on the ground and attack others. 

However, John Machado, Beasley’s defense attorney, claimed there were complications in the identification of the suspect. According to Machado, one witness described the suspect as short, another said he had a “tattoo” in the middle of his forehead. Machado described his client as tall with facial tattoos but none on his forehead. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, you got the wrong guy,” Machado told the jury. 

Machado also said the victim who was driving the car did not have his license and was the one who caused the accident. He claimed the victim sitting in the back seat, who had her license, was supposed to be the one driving. 

He concluded his opening arguments stating there was no gun found at the scene and requested the jury to “keep an open mind.” 

Following opening statements, the prosecution called on an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who testified they rendered aid to the bystander who had been shot in the knee. She deemed the victim’s injury “critical.”

During the defense’s cross-examination, Machado played the witness’ body-worn camera footage for the jury, which showed the officer questioning the victim about the shooting. According to the witness, the bystander told them they were about half a block away from the car accident when the suspect shot them. 

The witness also said she did not find any shell casings on the scene. Machado said this is despite the witness previously saying she “prides” herself on being able to find shell casings. 

Parties are set to reconvene Aug. 21 to continue trial. 

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that they are investigating a fatal shooting in Southeast. 

This incident happened on Monday, August 19, 2024, at approximately 8:25 p.m., in the 3000 block of Stanton Road, Southeast. MPD officers responded to a report of a shooting and, on arrival, they found two gunshot victims. One adult male, later identified as 19-year-old Vonte Martin of Southeast, D.C., died at the scene. 

The second gunshot victim, also an adult male, was transported by DC Fire and EMS to a nearby hospital for treatment. 

Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made yet. The MPD is appealing to the public for any knowledge of this incident and reminds them to avoid taking action but to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text their tip to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. In an effort to encourage useful tips, the MPD offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the homicide.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Northeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting in Northeast.

On July 12, 2024, around 2:52 a.m., the Fifth District of the MPD had responded to reports of a shooting incident at the 1500 block of Benning Road, Northeast. Upon arrival, the officers found a male victim who had suffered a gunshot wound. The DC Fire and EMS team was dispatched on the scene and upon determining the signs of no life, the man was declared dead on scene.

The victim of the shooting incident was identified as 26-year-old Danzell Hall, a resident of Northeast, DC.

On August 20, 2024, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force successfully located and arrested the suspect identified as 41-year-old Michael Grayton, also from Northeast, DC. Grayton was transported to the Homicide Branch where he was formally charged according to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant with First Degree Murder while Armed (Premeditated).

Judge Delays Homicide Trial, Returns One Defendant to Maryland for Another Sentence

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe returned a homicide defendant to a Maryland Jail on Aug. 20.  

Jayden Bracey, 23, and Jadohn Bracey, 25, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. They were allegedly involved in the murder of Angela Washington, 41, on Sept. 2, 2021, on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE. 

According to court documents, Washington was declared dead by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on the scene as she had multiple gunshot wounds to her head.

During the hearing, Jayden’s defense attorney, Todd Baldwin, requested trial, originally scheduled for Nov. 4, be rescheduled to a later date. He said he just joined the case as his client’s attorney and needs more time to review evidence.

Parties agreed to reschedule the trial for Aug. 27, 2025. 

The prosecution also requested Judge O’Keefe return Jayden to the Jessup Correctional Facility  in Maryland where he is serving another sentence in an unrelated incident. During a previous hearing, Baldwin told Judge O’Keefe Jayden has four years left in serving a sentence where he was convicted of robbery in Prince George’s County. 

Judge O’Keefe ruled to return Jayden but said he would be relocated back to the DC Jail about two months before the trial is set to begin. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Dec. 13. 

‘The Day Has Come to Hold Them Accountable,’ Says Prosecutor in Mass Shooting Case

The prosecution rebutted the closing statements of defense attorneys for Antonio Murchison and Mark Price before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 19, bringing an end to arguments before the jury in a trial that has lasted more than two months.

Murchison, 31, and Price, 30, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, and seven counts of criminal gang affiliation. 

The charges stem from their alleged involvement in a July 16, 2018, mass shooting on the 5300 block of 53rd Street, NE in the Clay Terrace neighborhood. The highly publicized crime left 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson dead and four other individuals with gunshot wounds.

Price is also charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, threat to injure or kidnap a person, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict and first-degree burglary while armed. These charges are connected to the fatal shooting of 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young on July 30, 2018, on the 1500 block of 19th Street, NE. 

A third co-defendant, Quanisha Ramsuer, 31, is charged with obstruction of justice in connection to the homicide.

Six other defendants were convicted in 2023 of charges related to the incident, including:

In her rebuttal, the prosecutor displayed a photo of Wilson as a reminder of the terrible cost of the shooting.

“This is why this little girl is dead: these crews are pursuing ‘beefs’ over Instagram, and they’re following them up with actions in real life,” said the prosecutor. 

The prosecutor said she and her co-counsel had called dozens of witnesses over the course of the trial to testify about the authenticity and reliability of evidence such as Instagram messages and videos, firearms, DNA, surveillance video footage and cell site location data. 

Murchison’s defense attorney, Michael Bruckheim, said in his closing argument that these witnesses didn’t implicate his client because they didn’t name him. The prosecutor said their testimony established that the evidence against him could be trusted.

According to the prosecutor, an individual identified as Murchison is visible in surveillance video footage from immediately before and after the shooting, talking with men identified as the co-defendants, including his younger brother Isaiah, who were convicted in 2023. 

The prosecutor said that the video footage shows all these individuals changed into hoodies, wore long pants and put on gloves to prevent any of their DNA from being found in the suspect vehicles.

Bruckheim claimed that other members of the crew texted about Murchison, “He ain’t us.” The prosecutor argued that those texts, when read in the context of the conversation thread, clearly refer to someone other than Murchison.

The prosecutor said other members of the crew discussed getting Price as their driver in Instagram messages in the leadup to the shooting. According to the prosecutor, these messages identified the number of a phone Price was carrying, which was located through cell site data on the route back to Wellington Park after the shooting.

The prosecutor noted police found multiple samples of DNA evidence in the suspect vehicles strongly implicating Price.

Price’s defense attorney, Megan Allburn, said in her closing argument that Price didn’t know who shot him in the foot several months before the mass shooting. The prosecutor said Price knew the man in Clay Terrace who shot him, giving Price a motive to join in the Wellington Park shooting against Clay Terrace.

According to the prosecutor, the primary reason for the mass shooting wasn’t the injury to Price but the killing of another Wellington Park man.

Cary Clennon, Ramsuer’s defense attorney, said in his closing argument that Ramsuer was not lying when she said she couldn’t identify the shooters because she couldn’t recognize their faces on surveillance video footage. 

The prosecutor said Ramsuer was not being asked to identify the shooters from the video but to identify the shooters from her memory of the events captured in the video. According to the prosecutor, Ramsuer’s claim not to know them wasn’t credible, since they all lived so close and one was her cousin, according to DMV records.

“We didn’t anticipate that Ms. Ramsuer’s defense for lying under oath would be that she lied under oath on her DMV form,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor reminded the jury that their duty is simply to determine the facts of the case.

“It’s not up to you to save anyone’s life,” the prosecutor said. “You can’t save Makiyah Wilson’s life. You can’t save their [the defendants’] lives either. The defendants made their choices.”

Judge Okun gave instructions to the jury and they began deliberations.

Parties are slated to reconvene when a verdict is reached.

Carjacking Defendants Waive Right to Test More DNA Evidence

Five co-defendants in a carjacking conspiracy case heard the results of additional DNA testing and some of them waived their rights to independently test the evidence at a hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 19.

Byron Gillum, Jaelen Jordan, Isaiah Flowers, Jahkai Goff, and Irshaad Ellis-Bey, all 19 years old, are charged with two counts of armed carjacking, armed carjacking of a senior citizen, trafficking stolen property, four counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of robbery while armed, robbery of a senior citizen while armed and conspiracy.

The charges stem from their alleged involvement in an ongoing distribution of carjacked vehicles between April and May of 2023. Court records state these operations partially took place in an apartment parking garage on the 1300 block of Florida Avenue, NE.

At the hearing, Gillum, Jordan, Goff and Ellis-Bey waived their rights to independently test DNA evidence recovered from a Porsche that police investigators recovered on Feb. 27, 2023. The prosecutor said that evidence was inconclusive.

Lisbeth Sapirstein, the defense attorney for Ellis-Bey, told the court he was waiving his rights to test DNA evidence presented at an earlier hearing. Gillum and Jordan had already waived their rights to test that evidence.

Donna Beasley, Goff’s defense attorney, asked for more time to review DNA evidence she received on Friday. According to Beasley, the report on one item alone was over 400 pages long.

The prosecutor read the results of DNA testing conducted on a 2022 BMW X6 and on several firearms and magazines. Some of the test results seemed to implicate Goff.

Flowers has not yet asserted or waived any rights to independent DNA testing. Michael Madden, his defense attorney, said Flowers will make a decision after all his DNA test results become available.

Judge Okun definitively scheduled the trial for Oct. 25, 2025, which had been suggested as a tentative trial date at an earlier hearing.

Beasley objected that Goff will have been in detention for much more than a year by Oct. 25, 2025. She asked for an earlier trial date for Goff, separate from his co-defendants, but Judge Okun denied her request.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 1.

Fatal Car Crash Defendant Wins Trial Delay

On the day Nakita Walker‘s trial was scheduled to begin, Aug. 19, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun delayed it until Nov. 18 at the request of Walker’s defense attorney, Albert Amissah.

Walker, 44, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder for allegedly crashing into a car occupied by Mohamed Kamara, 43, Johnathan Alberto Cabrera Mendez, 23, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, 22, on March 15, 2023, on Rock Creek Parkway near the intersection of 26th Street and P Street, NW. Walker is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and fleeing from an officer.

Court records state that a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer stopped Walker’s vehicle for allegedly speeding through a red light the night of the incident. The officer said Walker fled the traffic stop after being informed that she had broken the law, but he didn’t pursue her.

According to arrest documents, witnesses told United States Park Police (USPP) officers that they saw a vehicle identified as Walker’s cross the center line of Rock Creek Parkway and strike another vehicle head on.

Amissah told the court the defense needs more time to gather potential evidence from Walker’s vehicle and find an expert witness to testify about toxicology findings provided by the prosecution.

Court documents state that Walker’s blood and urine samples from the night of the crash suggest her alcohol level was approximately twice the legal limit.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 25.

Murder Co-Defendants Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

Two murder co-defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges during an arraignment on Aug. 15 before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

James Outland, 26, and Bobby Gupton, 26, are charged with conspiracy while armed, first-degree murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Tavonayna Glenn on June 28, 2023, on the 700 block of 19th Street, NE.

At the hearing, Lisbeth Saperstein, Gupton’s attorney, and Michael Bruckheim, Outland’s attorney, alerted the court of their intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted their constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial. 

Gupton also requested a new attorney, stating their relationship has deteriorated. Parties agreed to discuss the issues at the next hearing. 

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 4. 

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A non-fatal shooting defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges during an arraignment on Aug. 16. before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.  

Diamond Early, 31, is charged with assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of possession of firearm during crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license outside home/business, possession of unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for her alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on July 31. 

The incident occurred on the 4000 block of Kansas Avenue, NW. One person suffered from a non-fatal gunshot wound to the right leg. 

At the hearing, Early’s attorney, Antoini Jones, alerted the court his client was pleading not guilty to all charges, and requested a speedy trial. 

A status hearing date is set for Oct. 8. 2024. 

Defense Compares Client to ‘Hobbit’ in Closing For Strip Club Stabbing Case

Both sides presented different views of a stabbing case in closing arguments before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 19. 

Abraham Urrutia Castillo, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on Nov. 23, 2023, on the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW at a venue billed as “The Best Strip Club in DC.” One individual sustained injuries which required treatment at a hospital. 

According to court documents, the victim, who is a bouncer at a strip club, was allegedly stabbed by Urrutia Castillo when he removed him from the premises for touching a waitress. 

Before closing arguments, Judge Salerno denied defense attorney, Damon Catacalos, motion for judgment of acquittal. Urrutia Castillo also said he would not testify during trial.

In their closing, the prosecution stated the night the victim was stabbed was “fine” until Urrutia Castillo started to act “aggressive.” The prosecution said Urrutia Castillo “gripped” a waitress’ arm and “yanked her back” while she was escorting his allegedly drunken friend towards a bouncer.  Patrons are not allowed to touch the waitresses.

When the victim and his co-worker saw Urrutia Castillo allegedly grab a waitress, the prosecution said they used “force” to push Urrutia Castillo and his friend out of the strip club. 

The prosecution acknowledged a language barrier between Urrutia Castillo and the victim as Urrutia Castillo primarily speaks Spanish. However, they said security pointing at the exit “means something” and cited testimony from another worker at the club who asked them to leave in Spanish. 

The prosecution then replayed surveillance video of Urrutia Castillo allegedly stabbing the victim. They pointed out a “shiny object” Urrutia Castillo held in the footage and when the victim realized he was stabbed. 

According to the prosecution, the victim kicked Urrutia Castillo away from his co-worker, who was holding Urrutia Castillo’s friend while waiting for Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to arrive, because the victim thought Urrutia Castillo was trying to stab his co-worker as well.  

They concluded Urrutia Castillo didn’t act in self-defense because he was the one who began the altercation by touching the waitress. The prosecution also said the victim and his co-worker were not armed, unlike Urrutia Castillo. 

Catacalos disagreed, arguing Urrutia Castillo was using self-defense tactics against the victim and his co-worker. 

Catacalos replayed the video of when Urrutia Castillo allegedly grabbed a waitress and argued he was actually grabbing his friend and not the waitress. 

He cited the waitress’ testimony earlier in trial when she stated Urrutia Castillo caused a “chain reaction,” meaning it could not be said for certain if his client touched her. 

When the victim and his co-worker decided to remove Urrutia Castillo from the nightclub, Catacalos said, his client was attacked in a “violent manner.” He said the size of the victim and his co-worker, who are over six feet tall, made Urrutia Castillo and his friend, who are five-and-a-half feet tall, look like “hobbits.” Hobbits are a fictional race of characters between two-and-four-feet tall.

According to Catacalos, Urrutia Castillo refused to leave the club without first showing it was a “racist establishment.”

Catacalos said while the victim removed Urrutia Castillo from the club, he put his jacket over his head blinding him. He used the video to show it was possible Urrutia Castillo stabbed the victim when he couldn’t see.

After allegedly stabbing the victim, he said, Urrutia Castillo waved his arm to put distance between him and the victim. Catacalos also said Urrutia Castillo ran towards his friend, who was being held down by the victim’s co-worker, to protect him, not injure the other worker. 

Catacalos concluded his client’s actions were reasonable under the “circumstances” and were not criminal. 

Parties are set to reconvene when the jury concludes their deliberations. 

McDonald’s Stabbing Defendant Sentenced to Five Years for ‘Unprovoked Attack’

A defendant with an extensive criminal history was sentenced to five years “straight time” for a stabbing attack by DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 20. 

During the hearing, the prosecutor played graphic video of a confrontation between Reginald Pickett, 63, a female German tourist, and a concerned citizen at a busy McDonald’s restaurant on the 1300 block of  New York Avenue, NW around 6 p.m. on April 16.  

In May, Pickett pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for the incident.  

According to court documents, when Pickett entered the restaurant he yelled, “I hate all of you white people…’I will kill all of you!”

The surveillance video shows a suspect, identified as Pickett, appearing to argue with a patron, who was said to be a German tourist, seated at a table.  The prosecutor explained that Pickett pulled out a knife and threatened the woman.  

At that point another individual in the restaurant intervened, trying to protect the woman and pushed Pickett outside of the restaurant. The pair scuffled and both were seen in the video wrestling on the sidewalk. Then the prosecutor says Pickett stabbed the victim in the head and cut his ear.

At that point other people intervened including the German tourist’s traveling companion until officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived.  

The prosecutor called the crime “very concerning” in that it occurred in a busy public place with children present.  She characterized the attack as “wholly unprovoked.”  

Further, the prosecutor pointed out that Pickett has a 40 year criminal history including charges of attempted murder, armed robbery and multiple drug-related incidents.  She speculated that the crime was fueled by drug use in that Pickett was admittedly high on PCP at the time.

Given the serious nature of the offense, the prosecution recommended Pickett serve 63 months jail time.  

Pickett’s attorney, Angela Ramsay said that Pickett “knew he was wrong,” and what happened was unfortunate for all involved.  However, she cited Pickett’s severe mental health issues and that “something has to change.” 

In passing the sentence Judge Salerno said, “I hope, when you think this over you understand you’re getting too old for this.”  He noted that PCP and weapons were often a “lethal combination.”  

Judge Salerno sentenced Pickett to 60 months “straight time” meaning no credit for time served.  Following the prison term, Pickett will be on supervised provision for three years.  He is also required to pay $100 under the Victims of Violent Crime Act.   

The judge recommended Pickett serve his time in a federal facility where drug rehabilitation programs were available. 

“Good luck,”  Judge Salerno said to Pickett, and, “I hope this is the end.” 

Strip Club Stabbing Defendant Guilty of Simple Assault, Acquitted of Dangerous Weapon Assault

A jury acquitted Abraham Urrutia Castillo of assault with a dangerous weapon but found him guilty of simple assault before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Aug. 20.

Castillo, 28, was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for hisd involvement in a stabbing incident on Nov. 23, 2023. The incident occurred on the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, at a venue billed as “The Best Strip Club in DC.” One individual sustained injuries which required treatment at a hospital. 

According to the prosecution, Castillo’s friend was being escorted out by a waitress when he touched her. Castillo was removed from the club as well because patrons are not allowed to touch waitresses.  When a bouncer intervened to expel Castillo from the club, he stabbed the bouncer.

Castillo’s attorney, Damon Catacalos, argued his client acted in self-defense. He said Castillo did not actually touch the waitress, and the bouncer’s involvement was unwarranted and unprovoked. 

Castillo’s sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 27.