‘The Only Thing He Could Do Was Protect Himself,’ Says Defense Lawyer in a Stabbing

By Madelyn Nall - November 7, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

A stabbing defendant testified at the conclusion of his trial on Nov. 6 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe.

Samuel Robinson, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weaponfor his alleged role in a stabbing at the Mount Vernon Square Metro Station on the 700 block of M Street, NW, on Feb. 6. One person sustained a wound to the back of the head.  He allegedly committed the crime during release from another criminal matter,

During the hearing, Robinson took the stand to tell his side of the story. Robinson testified the victim attacked him while he was listening to music and waiting for the Metro. According to Robinson, pushed him into an elevator wall and swung at him, and would not let him go, even after a transit police officer told him to stop.

After threatening to call the police, the victim let him go. 

Robinson testified that while he was talking to the officer,who did not restrain the victim, saw the victim walking in a circling back toward him. Robinson feared that he was in danger, saying the victim was threatening him. Robinson claims to have then lunged at the back of his head, but didn’t strike him with full force. He stated that he saw kids coming off the train and hesitated, and in doing so cut his index finger. 

During cross examination, the prosecutor asked Robinson to review camera footage that showed the victim allegedly walking away from Robinson instead of toward him. The prosecutor also asked if the defendant was angry during the incident.

“Just because I’m angry and pissed off, what does that mean?” Robinson said.

The prosecutor also asked if he was aware of the victim’s mental impairment, to which Robinson seemed annoyed by.

“How am I supposed to know he got a mental impairment, I don’t even know him,” Robinson said, raising his voice. 

When the prosecutor asked Robinson about his criminal background, he confirmed his convictions but stated that they, “have nothing to do with this case.” 

The prosecution made the closing argument that Robinson’s actions were motivated by revenge, not self-defense. While the prosecution agree that the victim did attack first and that Robinson had a right to self-defense, there’s a limit; that limit is reached, the prosecution argues, when the victim starts to walk away, and Robinson allegedly runs after him. 

The prosecution reviewed security footage from the Metro and discussed each scene, arguing Robinson had no reasonable justifications for self-defense at that moment.

Defense attorney Michelle Lockard countered by arguing Robinson’s actions were reasonable. Lockard claimed the people who were supposed to protect Robinson, the transit security, did not intervene, but instead let the victim walk around freely after visibly assaulting Robinson. 

“The only thing he could do was protect himself,” Lockard stated, “the [prosecution] will have you think he’s not the victim. He is.” 

Parties will reconvene when the jury reaches a verdict.