DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean released a stabbing defendant under house arrest in a hearing on Oct. 3.
Hennok Woldu, 21, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after allegedly stabbing an individual at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on May 3.
During the hearing, defense attorney Sara Kopecki asked the court to release Woldu on house arrest, citing his strong familial support and lack of criminal history as evidence in favor of his release.
The prosecution argued that Woldu was being held on serious charges in connection with an unrelated matter at the time of the incident, and should remain in custody.
In response to prosecution objections, Kopecki called the prosecution’s arguments against release “vulnerable” and stated that Woldu allegedly had personal safety concerns about the victim that were ignored by jail staff.
Judge McLean released Woldu on house arrest and GPS monitoring. She also told him to stay away from the victim and not have any weapons while released.
Parties are slated to return on Dec. 12.
