WASHINGTON, D.C. – Barrington Hart, 36, of Washington, D.C., will spend the next 15 years behind bars after being sentenced for a vicious pattern of violence against a former romantic partner. The sentence, handed down by Superior Court Judge Jason Park, comes after a trial that laid bare Hart’s brutality and relentless attempts to control his victim.
Hart was convicted of a staggering array of charges stemming from two separate assaults in July 2023: two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of obstruction of justice, one count of threats, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction), one count of simple assault, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The 180-month sentence also includes five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith announced the sentencing, highlighting the severity of the crimes.
The evidence presented at trial revealed a disturbing escalation of violence. On July 27, 2023, a dispute over the victim’s phone quickly turned physical. Hart, consumed by jealousy, accused the victim of infidelity and demanded access to her phone. When she refused, he allegedly grabbed a black and yellow handgun and struck her in the head, inflicting a deep laceration. Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, Hart callously forced the bleeding woman to accompany him to a job interview, delaying critical care. The victim eventually sought treatment herself, requiring nine staples to close the head wound.
Less than a week later, on August 4, 2023, Hart struck again. The victim reported to police that Hart had slapped her and again brandished the same firearm, pointing it at her during another argument fueled by jealousy. Police swiftly arrested Hart, who has remained in custody ever since. But even incarceration couldn’t stop Hart’s attempts to silence and intimidate his victim. Prosecutors detailed how Hart repeatedly used Department of Corrections Video Visits to instruct the victim not to testify before a grand jury.
The relentless harassment didn’t stop there. While behind bars, Hart bombarded the victim with threatening text messages, filled with profanity and abusive language, further demonstrating his determination to control and punish her. These attempts to obstruct justice and intimidate a witness significantly contributed to the severity of the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith praised the dedicated work of the Metropolitan Police Department investigators and the U.S. Attorney’s Office team – including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Han, Callie Hyde, and Katharine Yaske, along with Paralegal Tiffany Jones, and Victim/Witness Advocates Tracey Hawkins and Shanika McCullough – in securing the conviction and bringing a dangerous offender to justice. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.”
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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