Stabbing accused held in prison

By Maggie Rhoads, Nykia Henderson – June 24, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | stab | Suspects |

Judge Renée Raymond of Washington Superior Court decided to keep a stabbing defendant in prison while awaiting his trial on June 21.

Jose Garcia Fuentes, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in an April 24 stabbing in the 4400 block of 14th Street in Northwest.

During the hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that he watched surveillance footage where he saw Fuentes stabbing a victim with a knife.

The detective also said police arrested Fuentes at his workplace on May 17. He said one of Fuentes' co-workers said Fuentes arrived at work with two black eyes after the date of the incident.

According to court documents, Fuentes was at a restaurant where he began kicking another customer with whom he had no connection. The victim, a restaurant employee, decided to force Fuentes out of the restaurant by pushing him towards the exit. Once outside the restaurant, Fuentes pulled a “large” knife from his bag, striking the victim in the face.

The victim refused medical attention and was not transported to a hospital, documents state.

After the testimony, Fuentes' attorney, Henry Escoto, said Fuentes got into an altercation with the victim and tried to defend himself with his knife.

Escoto also said this hearing was “unfair” to him and Fuentes because they do not have access to the surveillance footage the detective discussed during his testimony.

Escoto requested that Fuentes be released from jail because his actions were in self-defense, but the prosecution said Fuentes posed a danger to the community because he attacked a random customer in the restaurant.

Judge Raymond disagreed with Escoto's statement that Fuentes stabbed the victim in self-defense. She said the victim pushed her out of the restaurant because Fuentes kicked another customer.

The parties are scheduled to reconvene before Washington Superior Court Judge Errol R. Arthur on July 8.

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