“It is clear to me that I have a problem,” said the stabbed defendant when the verdict was announced

By Adriana Marroquin
– October 11, 2024
court | Daily Stories | piercing | Suspicious |

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on October 11 sentenced a knife attack defendant to 84 months in prison.

On May 21, Donnell Smith, 45, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to kill for his involvement in a September 29, 2023 stabbing in the 2200 block of Adams Place, NE.

According to prosecutors, a woman suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident, including a collapsed lung.

During the hearing, the prosecution asked that Smith be sentenced to 84 months in prison, arguing that this was not his first conviction for assault and that the “defendant had repeatedly resorted to assault.”

According to prosecutors, the victim was a mere bystander to an argument between Smith and another person when Smith bumped into her and stabbed her multiple times. The prosecutor told Judge Demeo that the victim suffered a collapsed lung and had to undergo a chest tube to survive.

Terrence Austin, Smith’s attorney, asked for a sentence of 72 months, which is in line with the guidelines, saying Smith has struggled with substance abuse his entire life and this time he was “really committed to maintaining his sobriety.”

According to Austin, this is Smith’s most serious belief, and “living in a cage isn’t easy for anyone, especially anyone.” [Smith’s] Age.”

Austin told Judge Demeo Smith that he had an “atypical” childhood. His father died when he was young and his mother was “emotionally unavailable” to Smith. He added that Smith’s mother did not know what path he had taken at 15 when he began abusing drugs.

“He realizes he has to do it differently,” Austin told Judge Demeo, adding that he was “extremely remorseful.”

“I apologize to the young lady,” Smith told the court, adding in a video of the incident provided by prosecutors: “I didn’t see myself, I see a person who is under the influence.”

“I’m not perfect… I recognize that I have a problem,” Smith said, explaining, “This is the time to address it.”

“[He] has the desire to do it [change]“He just needs a chance,” Austin announced.

“Substantial damage has been done, a victim has been stabbed,” Judge Demeo explained, adding that the damage suffered by the victim is long-lasting and will not go away once the physical damage has healed.

“There is evidence that he has engaged in behavior that is dangerous to the community,” Judge Demeo said, citing his convictions for assault, threats, drug and weapons possession.

Judge Demeo imposed an 84-month prison sentence with three years of supervised release, saying that while the sentence was below the midpoint of the requested 72- to 120-month range, she recognized Smith’s responsibility for taking the charge.

She recommended he undergo mental health and drug evaluation and treatment, as well as trauma and anger management counseling, and ordered him to stay away from the victim and the scene of the incident.

No further dates have been set.