DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman admonished a stabbing defendant with a warning after she violated her home confinement twice but allowed her to remain on release at a hearing on July 14.
Shauntia Daniels, 27, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on May 23 at the 7-Eleven on the 3000 block of 14th Street, NW. The victim sustained stab wounds to her chest and forearm.
Judge Edelman released Daniels to home confinement on June 30, with exceptions for legal meetings, pre-trial services, and employment responsibilities.
At the hearing, Judge Edelman notified the parties that he was recently alerted of two violations of Daniels’ home confinement order.
The first was on July 12 from 2:10-to-3:30 a. m. on U Street, NW. The second was on the same day at 7:30 p. m. at an unspecified location.
Daniels’ attorney, Terrence Austin, said that Daniels reported to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) that she violated home confinement to “pick up supplies” for her children at a local convenience store. According to a representative from PSA, Daniels is required to notify them at least four hours in advance to avoid violations.
“You’re putting yourself on thin ice here,” Judge Edelman said to Daniels.
The judge said that he previously lived in the area and knew that it would not take an hour and twenty minutes to go to the local convenience store.
The prosecutors asked the court to warn Daniels to comply with her release conditions. They will seek a possible step back in release and incarceration if issues arise in the future.
Judge Edelman advised Daniels that if he receives a similar report, she will be “locked up.”
Austin then requested to modify Daniels release conditions to allow her to attend appointments with the Center of Family Services (CFS), that is helping her find housing. Judge Edelman granted the request because Daniels’ stay-away requires her to find new housing away from the victim.
Austin also requested that Daniels be able to “pick up supplies” for her children, but Judge Edelman denied his request, calling it “too open-ended.”
“This can go one of two ways, the choice is yours Ms. Daniels,” warned Judge Edelman.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 28.
