DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld stated she needed more information before deciding on sentencing for a stabbing defendant on March 30.
Nahum Posner, 56, was convicted on Jan. 16, 2026 of assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE on Oct. 22, 2020.
According to court documents, the victim was standing at the trunk of her car on the side of her residence when Posner approached her and stabbed her. The victim screamed, alerting her son, who came out of the house and hit Posner’s arm with a hammer, knocking him off the victim. Posner then fled the scene.
“There’s a level of comfort that was taken from us,” the victim’s son stated during the hearing.
He explained that his mother hasn’t been the same since the incident and they had to move from their home of over a decade.
The prosecution stated voluntary sentencing guidelines for the offense were 18-to-60 months of incarceration. However, they argued that Judge Hertzfeld should sentence Posner to eight years, above his guidelines, due to aggravating circumstances. They explained the attack was unprovoked and that Posner has had “continuous homicidal ideations,” presenting a serious safety concern to the community.
Posner’s attorney, Albert Amissah, requested that Judge Hertzfeld release Posner on probation and require that he be compliant with his treatment plan. Amissah suggested a suspended sentence, which would potentially keep the time in place as Posner serves probation. He argued that Posner hadn’t had a criminal charge prior to the stabbing and that Posner had suffered a mental brake.
Amissah explained that Posner would receive help from a case manager and an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team if released on probation. They would make daily visits and make sure Posner takes his medication and attends programs.
“I’m not a violent person,” Posner told Judge Hertzfeld.
Judge Hertzfeld stated that she didn’t have enough information to make a decision on Posner’s sentence during the hearing.
“You had five years to get more information,” Posner yelled at Judge Herzfeld before being removed from the courtroom.
Judge Hertzfeld said she would not make a decision until she received more information on Posner’s mental health and his release plan from the defense. She also stated she needed the prosecution to flag any aggravated circumstances and send them to her.
Parties are slated to reconvene on June 5 for sentencing.
