Pretrial Show Cause Hearing Continues for Sex Abuse Defendant

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During a March 6 hearing, a DC Superior Court judge continued a pretrial show cause hearing due to the lack of information from the Pretrial Services Agency.

The 53-year-old defendant has been charged with assault with intent to commit third-degree sex abuse. According to court documents, the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted his sister in law who he has known for 21 years.

The prosecution stated that the defendant tested positive for phencyclidine (PCP) on several occasions before the last court hearing on Dec. 15.

Defense attorney, Hannah Claudio said that the defendant has made an improvement.

The defendant was staying at Regional Addiction Prevention (RAP) for treatment since Feb. 4 and left the facility last week.

However, Judge Michael O’Keefe said he needs to hear directly from pretrial services.

“I would like to know the circumstances of why he was discharged and whether or not he was in compliance,” he said.

The pretrial services officer contacted three different officers and RAP to try to figure out the circumstances.

She asked to come back in two weeks so that she could find out more information on the defendant’s discharge.

Judge O’Keefe granted her request. The parties will reconvene on March 16.