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By
Adriana Marroquin
- January 7, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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stabbing
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Suspects
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A stabbing defendant waived his rights to a preliminary hearing and requested he be released as pending a plea deal decision before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Jan. 7.
John Scogins, 53, is charged with aggravated assault and assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured one individual on Dec. 9, 2024, at a bus stop on the 1700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.
According to court documents, Scogins, the victim, and a third individual were aboard a bus when a verbal altercation ensued between the victim and Scogins.
In video shown to the court, the three individuals exited the bus, and the victim allegedly threw the first punch, before the individual identified as Scogins is seen stabbing the individual multiple times.
During the hearing, Alvin Thomas, Scogins’ attorney, alerted Judge Brandt Scogins planned to waive his right to a preliminary hearing as he continues to review a plea offered by the prosecution to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill and assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for not seeking an indictment. Through the deal, the prosecution would agree to request a concurrent sentencing for both charges.
Alvin requested Scogins be released as he awaits further hearings, stating they have a strong self-defense claim, adding “this is not an individual that just attacked someone randomly.”
The prosecution objected, stating by waiving his preliminary hearing right Scogins accepted there is probable cause, and he was the only individual armed during the incident. The prosecution argued that the video shows the victim attempting to walk away from the situation before Scogins follows after him and stabs him multiple times.
“Until I can get some extra information, I am going to defer making a finding,” Judge Brandt stated about the request for release. She stated she wants Scogins to receive a drug and mental health assessment from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).
Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 8.