DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz informed a stabbing defendant about her right to claim a stabbing was in self-defense before she accepted a plea deal during a hearing on Feb. 6.
Daniyah Dailey, 24, was originally charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and two counts of malicious disfigurement while armed. The charges stemmed from her involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Nov. 27, 2021, on the 2200 block of 25th Place, NE. Two victims were wounded during the incident.
During the hearing, Dailey accepted a deal from prosecutors that required her to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for dismissal of all remaining charges. Under the terms, parties accepted a sentence of between five-to-eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, subject to Judge Kravitz’s approval at sentencing.
Judge Kravitz asked if Dailey thought she had enough time to discuss the offer with her lawyers and understood the rights she surrendered without a trial. Dailey responded by saying she thought there was “not enough time to talk about the pros and cons of a plea or trial,” but continued that she was “ready to plead guilty.”
After briefly discussing the matter in private, Dailey’s attorneys, Janai Reed and Sara Kopecki, confirmed they did not want additional time to discuss the plea with their client.
The prosecution said if the case had proceeded to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Dailey stabbed two victims after one had been shot by her former co-defendant 34-year-old Tejan Bah. According to court records, Bah’s case was dismissed after he passed away in February 2025.
Prosecutors say the victim did not make any verbal threats towards the defendants during the incident.
Judge Kravitz asked Dailey if these events were accurate, and she responded with her version of the events. According to Dailey, on the morning of the stabbing, she and Bah went to one of the victim’s houses to get money. Bah was carrying a registered and licensed gun while entering the house and stated “where the money at?” to the homeowner. Bah shot the homeowner, the second victim jumped on him, and a wrestling match for the gun ensued.
Dailey said that she was scared for her life as the only woman present, and thought the second victim would get the gun and shoot at her. In fear, she said she stabbed both victims.
Judge Kravitz remarked after hearing Dailey’s statements, that the stabbing sounded like it could have been in self-defense and began discussing that with Dailey.
Reed and Kopecki quickly stepped in, commenting that they had already talked to their client about that argument and based on the events, decided not to pursue it.
After a break for Reed and Kopecki to talk with Dailey, they continued with the plea deal. Judge Kravitz again explained the self-defense arguments and the possibility of trial instead of a plea. The law allows someone to use a reasonable amount of force to escape imminent danger, asserted Judge Kravitz.
Dailey retracted her previous statement, said she no longer claimed self-defense, and wanted to plead guilty.
Ultimately, Judge Kravitz accepted the plea as knowing and voluntary.
Dailey is currently serving a seven year sentence, with all but five suspended in Maryland for an unrelated incident. Kopecki asked the judge if it was possible for the sentences in both jurisdictions to run concurrent with one another.
Reed also asked if Dailey can receive credit for time served while in the custody of DC Jail, which began on Nov. 28, 2023. Judge Kravitz said this posed a problem, as the time served at the DC Jail already counted towards the Maryland sentence.
Judge Kravitz asked parties to discuss an agreement for the both issues raised by the defense. The judge additionally advised Reed and Kopecki to ask an advice attorney at the courthouse to legally resolve the issue, since it involved different jurisdictions.
Parties are set to reconvene on May 1 for sentencing.
