DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe denied a stabbing defendant’s request for release with GPS tracking due to the extreme circumstances of the case on Oct. 14.
Chela Ruffin, 39, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Sept. 15 on the unit block of Galveston Street, SW.
Ruffin’s defense attorney, Stuart Johnson, informed the court that he had not yet received the bodyworn camera footage of the arrest or a plea offer in Ruffin’s case. The prosecution claimed to have sent it several days prior, but said they would extend it again.
The prosecution stated that, according to the deal, Ruffin would plead guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and that the prosecution would only ask for the minimum of guidelines of the sentencing range. The defense will speak to Ruffin about the plea.
Johnson also requested Ruffin be released with GPS monitoring, as she has a stable job and children to provide for. The prosecution argued against her release due to the nature of the case and Ruffin’s prior criminal history of assault.
Judge Pipe believed that the facts of the case are extreme, as the stabbing was allegedly a reaction to a very minor incident. She denied releasing Ruffin with GPS tracking, claiming that there are no conditions she could impose that would guarantee public safety.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 29.
