New Charges Possible in Howard Theatre Stabbing
Government awaiting superseding indictments on additional charges for three defendants accused of attacking gay teen
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia says it expects superseding indictments to be handed down in the next two weeks for the three suspects accused of stabbing a gay minor in front of the Howard Theatre in June.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Doby told D.C. Superior Court Judge Patricia Broderick at a Nov. 16 status hearing that she expects a grand jury to indict Ali Jackson; his sister, Alvonica Jackson; and her boyfriend, Desmond Raimon Campbell, on additional charges related to the June incident.
All three suspects were previously arraigned on charges of assault with intent to kill (AWIK), with bias enhancements. Specifically, Doby said she expects to be able to indict all three on charges of bias-related assault with significant bodily injury, in addition to the bias-related AWIK charges.
Doby also said she expected superseding indictments for Ali Jackson on charges of bias-related armed robbery and bias-related threats, as well as a second-degree theft indictment for Alvonica Jackson.
The three were previously scheduled for a Jan. 9 trial date, which remains in effect.
According to charging documents and police testimony from a preliminary hearing in July, Ali Jackson had an argument with the underage victim, whom he knew to be gay, on the evening of June 26 and threatened to stab him, calling him a ”faggot.” Jackson allegedly left the scene near Florida and T Streets NW, but returned later carrying a knife, which witnesses say he then used to stab the victim while Campbell held the victim in a headlock and Alvonica Jackson attempted to hold the victim’s arms.
During the attack, the victim managed to produce a can of pepper spray and use it against his attackers, who fled the scene. Nearby police officers detained the three suspects and later arrested them.
The victim, who survived the attack, was taken to Howard University Hospital and treated for stab wounds to his left bicep, lower back and left leg.
Police say that while in custody the three suspects repeatedly referred to the victim with anti-gay slurs and made comments about his sexuality. That evidence was used to add the bias enhancements to the charges against the three.
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