A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal in front of DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on July 20.
Yavonee Williams, 29, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her involvement in a stabbing on Feb. 1 on the 2600 block of Bowen Road, SE. The victim sustained two swounds to her back.
At the hearing, Williams accepted a plea deal that required her to plead guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to not seek an indictment with any additional or greater charges.
Had Williams’ case gone to trial, the prosecution said they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that she stabbed the victim in the back twice after a fight broke out between them.
Judge Hertzfeld was satisfied that Williams entered the plea knowingly and voluntarily.
Williams’ attorney, Russell Hairston, requested Williams be released on home confinement, noting that she has a two-year-old son and that her father is currently hospitalized. The defense added that Williams would have employment upon release and agree to stay away from the victim.
The prosecution opposed this request, noting that Williams had previously sought release at an earlier hearing in front of Judge Hertzfeld and was denied. The prosecution also highlighted the seriousness of the crime Williams pleaded guilty to and her criminal history.
The judge denied Hairston’s request to release Williams due to the violent nature of the offense to which she admitted guilt. However, Judge Hertzfeld noted that she would reconsider the request after reviewing the pre-sentence report.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 4 for Williams’ sentencing.
