DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann accepted a stabbing defendant’s waiver of his right to a preliminary hearing, and denied his release during a Feb. 24 hearing.
Charles Proctor, 45, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that left an individual injured on Feb. 20 at the unit block of Danbury Street, SW. The victim sustained injuries to his upper right arm and the right side of his back.
Proctor’s attorney, John Sample, alerted Judge Herrmann that Proctor wished to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, and requested his release, arguing that Proctor was acting in self defense, reacting to the victim’s use of pepper spray during the dispute.
The prosecution opposed the request emphasizing the severity of the attack, the lack of evidence that the spray was an irritant, and Proctor’s prior criminal record.
Ultimately, the judge denied his release.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 10.
