Jury Finds Metro Attacker Guilty of Assault with Significant Bodily Injury

            WASHINGTON – A jury, today, found Neal Pitt, 36, of Washington, D.C., guilty of assault with significant bodily injury in an attack that took place on the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station platform on March 9, 2021, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Michael Anzallo, of the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD).

            The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Erik Christian scheduled sentencing for February 14, 2024. Holman faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the crimes.

             According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 7:45 a.m. on March 9, 2021, Daniel Olsen was traveling to work when, without provocation, the defendant followed Olsen on the Branch Avenue-bound platform, grabbed Olsen by the throat, and slammed Olsen to the ground. Mr. Olsen landed on his right shoulder, resulting in a broken humerus that required surgery and months of physical therapy to repair. Pitt fled the scene but was identified based on CCTV footage, SmarTrip records, and his own statements that placed him at the scene of the crime. 

            In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Anzallo commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metro Transit Police Department. They also thanked  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Coates Huether, Travis Wolf, Bonnie Lindemann, Sandra Braschi, and Benjamin Bleiberg, who initially investigated the case. Finally, they commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kraig Ahalt and Shaniqua Butler, who investigated and prosecuted the case.