‘You Saved my Life,’ Defendant Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 30, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to one year of incarceration, all of which was suspended, plus one year of probation.

Cynthia Forth pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of a controlled substance for selling cocaine to undercover officers on the 1700 block of Minnesota Ave, SE on July 24. She also pleaded guilty to bail violations that arose from her failure to appear for court hearings on Oct. 25, 2019, and Jan 30. 

Forth received two 90-day sentences that are set to run consecutively to one another for her bail violations. She was also sentenced to six months, which will also run consecutively, for attempted distribution of a controlled substance.

The defendant has been held since Feb. 20 because she violated her pretrial release conditions.

“I was so hurt when you stepped me back, but you saved my life,” the defendant told Judge Judith Smith. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen and heard a lot. This is not a place I want my life revolved around.”

As conditions of her probation, the defendant must participate in mental health and substance abuse testing and treatment as directed by the Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA.) She must also receive specialized supervision by a mental health unit and drug and alcohol testing and treatment if recommended by the CSOSA. 

Judge Smith also ordered Forth, 48, to obtain a sponsor through community resources, receive housing assistance and pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund.

Defense attorney Derrick Page said his client’s bail violations were driven by substance abuse problems, which are no longer an issue.

“She’s clearly got her spark back,” said the prosecutor, who did not ask for further incarceration. 

Judge Smith was unable to place the defendant into inpatient treatment due to limitations from the COVID-19 h pandemic.  

Page said the defendant has friends and family who will assist her with maintaining sobriety and housing.

“I’m ready to go home and get my life back together,” Forth said.