Arrest of stabbing victim delays trial of suspect

By DC Witness Staff
– 26 August 2024
Daily Stories | Stabbings | Suspects |

The status of a stabbing victim incarcerated in Maryland was discussed at a readiness for trial hearing before Judge Robert Okun of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on August 26.

Samuel Robinson faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with an incident that occurred on February 6 at the Mt. Vernon Square subway station in the 700 block of M Street, NW.

According to court documents, a Metropolitan Department Police (MPD) officer heard a commotion on the platform and was informed by a special police officer that a person named Robinson had allegedly stabbed a victim in the back of the head with a knife.

The stabbing was the result of a physical altercation between Robinson and the victim. Both were injured and arrested after receiving medical treatment.

During the hearing, the prosecutor said he was not ready to go to trial and asked for a 45-day extension to allow the victim to testify in the case. The man is being held in connection with the stabbing in Prince George's County. However, the prosecutor said there was a procedural problem with his return to the county.

Judge Okun asked, “Who is speaking to Prince George's County?” He noted that this was the second time the prosecution had failed to subpoena the witness.

The prosecutor compared the situation to a “hamster wheel” because the US Marshals needed a lot of time to issue an order to grant the transfer within the prescribed time. Although the prosecutor said there were “good reasons” for the delay in the proceedings, he was still “a little unclear why [the witness] has not come back.”

Defense attorney Michelle Lockard said prosecutors “did not proceed carefully enough in this matter” and asked Judge Okun to either dismiss the case or release Robinson, who has been in prison since the incident.

Although Judge Okun said it was a “close call,” he did not want to dismiss the case. However, he said the “more difficult issue” had to do with the postponement of the trial date. Judge Okun criticized the prosecution for its lack of diligence, despite acting “under the false assumption” that it was doing the right thing.

Regarding Robinson's release, Judge Okun said it was “concerning” given the seriousness of the offense. That decision was deferred pending a determination of whether Robinson would be eligible for house arrest.

A trial date has now been set for September 10 before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

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