The so-called “panic defense” has literally allowed people here in D.C. to get away with murder. A bill to put it to an end has been stuck in a D.C. Council committee since 2017. I became involved in the fight to ban the panic defense after the murders of two trans women last year and a mob attack on two young gay men on U Street. I testified on behalf of the ANC Rainbow Caucus at a hearing on the legislation last fall, but the legislation remained in committee. Action that we took at the ANC level this month seems to have finally broken the logjam. Please read this article from the Blade to learn more about the panic defense and contact your Councilmember and your at-large Councilmembers to urge them to move quickly to ban it.
Mike Silverstein, Commissioner, Dupont Circle ANC 2B 