DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond told a non-fatal stabbing defendant that his case must move forward during a June 13 hearing after nearly two months of continuances and attorney changes.
Ovid Gabriel, 20, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury for his alleged role in an inmate stabbing inside the DC Jail, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on March 28.
Rashid Shabazz, 35, is charged with tampering with physical evidence for allegedly hiding the shank used in the incident.
Shabazz was not present during the hearing.
Gabriel’s attorney, Anthony Dimillo, asked the court to release him pending further hearings. Judge Raymond denied release because Gabriel has other cases against him. According to court records, Gabriel is also charged with a misdemeanor assault on a police officer for an incident from 2024.
During the June 13 preliminary hearing, Gabriel asked Judge Raymond to address the court himself, but she instructed him to speak through his attorney. After he once again asked to speak, Judge Raymond reminded Gabriel that anything he says in open court can and will be used against him in the future.
He proceeded to speak, saying he will be “executing [his] constitutional rights,” after which Judge Raymond cut him off.
Gabriel also asked the court for a different attorney. Judge Raymond denied this request because Dimillo is his third court-appointed attorney in this case. She told Gabriel that if he wants a new lawyer, he will need to find and pay for one himself.
Judge Raymond granted one final continuance in Gabriel’s case.
Parties are set to reconvene on June 27.
