A defendant in a non-fatal shooting case was ordered to remain in custody during a before DC Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nolan on July 14.
Rene Bost, 41, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on July 11 at the 100 block of Thomas Circle, NW.
According to court documents, Bost pulled a gun out from his glove box and fired shots into the air in a public area. The defendant was allegedly found wandering around in circles, his vehicle crashed into a fence with two flat tires.
After Judge Nolan accepted Bost’s waiver of a preliminary hearing, Defense Attorney Kavya Naini argued for Bost’s supervised release, stating that Bost was willing to comply with GPS monitoring and home confinement.
Naini emphasized Bost’s considerable support from family members, many of whom were present in court. She presented multiple letters from family members that spoke to Bost’s character and his impact on the community.
“It’s largely circumstantial evidence,” Naini said about the case against Bost, stressing that no one was harmed during the incident. She urged the court to favorably consider Bost’s background as an honorably discharged army veteran of four years, currently receiving treatment for related trauma.
Bost has no history of weapons offenses and a single simple assault misdemeanor. Naini argued that in that matter, Bost “has shown he is someone who can successfully complete probation.”
Furthermore, Naini highlighted the fact that Bost has two children and possesses sole physical custody of his 12-year-old son. The elder son is currently attending university as a second year student.
Naini asserted that Bost’s “absence is keenly felt and would be keenly felt [by his children] if he continued to be at the jail.… They would be bereft without him.”
The prosecution responded by stressing the serious nature of the offense. Bost allegedly discharged the firearm only a mile from the courthouse in a dense residential area.
“To say that doesn’t pose a danger to the community,” the prosecution said, “stretches all bounds of reason.
The prosecution further brought up Bost’s five convictions for driving while under the influence (DUI) and three for driving while suspended, which occurred in the past ten years while he was on probation.
Judge Nolan agreed that Bost had no significant criminal history, but was concerned by the DUIs, especially considering Bost’s level of disorientation and possible inebriation during the shooting incident. He questioned whether Bost would comply with home confinement, having already proved his inability to comply with the law which asked him not to drink and drive.
Ultimately, Judge Nolan ruled that Bost would remain in custody.
Parties are set to reconvene July 28.
