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By
Cameron Horne
, Kelsey Ball - November 8, 2024
Daily Stories
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stabbing
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Suspects
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A stabbing defendant formally rejected a global plea offer that would have resolved three cases in a Nov. 7 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.
James Callen, 40, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a July 13 stabbing incident on the 1600 block of Morris Road, SE.
According to court documents, Callen called for help after the victim arrived at Morris Road apartments, clearly intoxicated and bleeding. According to Callen, the victim drunkenly moved around the apartment, constantly falling over, and leaving blood stains everywhere. Callen said he called 911 once he was able to get the victim to remain still and saw the extent of her injuries.
EMS on scene later reported that they found Callen involved unwontedly in helping them care for the victim. Once the victim was loaded into the ambulance, emergency technicians told Callen he would not be able to ride with them on the way to the hospital, as he would continue to get in the way of administering care to the victim.
As the ambulance pulled away, Callen allegedly jumped on to the back, causing the responders to stop and remove Callen from the back of the vehicle.
While Callen was explaining what happened to police, officers found Callen had a standing stay away order from the address on the 1600 block of Morris Road, SE and arrested him for contempt.
During the hearing, Alvin Thomas, Callen’s attorney, alerted the court that Callen was rejecting a plea offer from the prosecution. Had Callen accepted the offer, he would have been required to waive his indictment and plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed. In exchange, the prosecution would have dismissed all other charges in this case and two other cases Callen currently has pending.
Callen’s trial date was set for Sept. 3, 2025.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 28, 2025.