DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe released a stabbing defendant with GPS monitoring and orders to complete mental health and drug treatment after she accepted a plea deal on Oct. 30.
Tamara Francis, 36, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for stabbing a victim during a domestic dispute on Sept. 15 on the1400 block of Belmont Street, NW.
According to police documents, the victim sustained stab wounds in his right forearm and hand.
On Oct. 30, Francis accepted a plea deal, which required her to plead guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.
The prosecutor stated that if this case had gone to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Francis attempted to assault the victim with a knife during a domestic dispute. The victim took their daughter into the bedroom, shut the door, and Francis pushed the knife through the door, stabbing the victim on his arm.
In tears, Francis confirmed the facts the prosecution laid out were correct and pleaded guilty.
Defense counsel for Francis, Chantal Jean-Bapiste, asked Judge Pipe to release Francis because the victim told the prosecution that he did not fear for his safety and wanted Francis to see their daughter.
Additionally, Jean-Bapiste claimed that Francis has put the relationship with the victim behind her and wants to spend the upcoming holidays with her family.
While the prosecution agreed that the victim does not fear for his safety, they argued that the facts of the case prove that Francis is dangerous to the community. Additionally, the prosecution pointed out that Francis’ response to police was “disturbing” and that underscores why Judge Pipe should not release Francis.
Still, Judge Pipe released Francis and ordered her to comply with GPS monitoring, mental health treatment, drug treatment, and not threaten, assault, or abuse the victim. Additionally, Judge Pipe did not believe it would make sense to issue a stay away order from the victim because the victim does not fear for his life and the victim and Francis live in the same apartment building.
The parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Jan. 9.
