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By
Madelyn Nall
- November 19, 2024
Daily Stories
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Domestic Violence
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stabbing
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Suspects
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A defendant asked to represent himself at trial in front of DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Nov. 13 but she advised against it.
Michael Alston is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon of a senior citizen, kidnapping of a senior citizen, assault with significant bodily injury, strangulation, and threat to kidnap or injure a person for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on Feb. 4 on the 2100 block of I Street, NE. One individual sustained injuries.
At the mental observation hearing scheduled for Nov. 13, Alston asked to represent himself at his jury trial, and requested to discharge his attorney Veronice Holt. He stated that he has represented himself before, and claimed there’s a “98.7% conviction rate” at the DC Superior Court– statistic contested by Judge Pipe.
“There’s a reason why we appoint lawyers,” Judge Pipe told him, “There’s a reason it’s in the Constitution.”
Judge Pipe explained to Alston that representing himself puts him at a “tremendous disadvantage,” since he’s unfamiliar with the rules of evidence and won’t be able to represent himself adequately in court.
The judge also informed the defendant he will be provided a new lawyer if he doesn’t want to work with Holt going forward; despite Judge Pipe’s warning, Alston appeared set on his decision.
“Please think about it,” Judge Pipe said, and set another hearing to further discuss Alston’s ability to represent himself in trial.
The parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 20.