A DC Superior Court judge encouraged parties in a misdemeanor domestic violence case to continue plea negotiations after they requested a jury trial.
The defendant is charged with simple assault, resisting arrest and assault on a police officer.
The prosecution and defense attorney Santia McLaurin have been negotiating plea offers, which the defendant has rejected.
During the Feb. 8 hearing, Judge Maribeth Raffinan expressed concern about the trial request being granted for this case. Considering the amount of time the defendant has served and that it is a misdemeanor case, Judge Raffinan said she believes that the criminal division will not prioritize this case.
Judge Raffinan suggested that the parties continue plea negotiations while she contacts the criminal division in regards to setting up the jury trial. McLaurin agreed to work on negotiations.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 22.
