Herbert Hayes was ordered held today pending a preliminary hearing on suspicion of second-degree murder. Prosecutors say he fatally stabbed John Wesley Griffin in Northwest DC on Friday night.
Charging documents rely on the testimony of one witness, who told police they say Hayes chase Griffin in the street, then punch Griffin, who fell to the ground. The witness told police that once Griffin fell, the witness saw that Hayes had a knife in his hand. The witness heard Hayes say “fuck the police,” then run away.
Griffin was stabbed seven times.
Hayes’ attorney said Tuesday that the punching motion described by the witness could have been just that- punching- and that Griffin could have already been suffering the stab wounds when Hayes was observed near him.
Judge Karen Howze said that that “could have been,” but that the government had met the burden of proof to proceed to a preliminary hearing in the case. That hearing is scheduled for June 20.
Read the charging documents below. (The quality of third paragraph is poor.)
