Juvenile in Deadly Carjacking Conditionally Released 

By Adriana Marroquin - November 21, 2023
Daily Stories | Juveniles |

On Nov. 20, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld released a juvenile suspect to stay at home based on recommendations from officials at a psychiatric hospital where the boy has been detained. 

The juvenile is charged in connection to a carjacking that ended in the death of 13-year-old Vernard Toney Jr., on Oct. 28, on the 600 block of D Street, NW.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) press release, the two juveniles were allegedly attempting to carjack an off-duty security officer. The officer was carrying a legally owned firearm, and shot Toney Jr. The defendant is alleged to have fled the scene. 

During a Nov. 8 hearing, following a mental evaluation, the defendant was ordered to be detained at a psychiatric facility for 21 days, in custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), to undergo therapy and mental tests.

On Nov. 20, a representative from the psychiatric facility told Judge Hertzfeld the juvenile is “doing well”, has not behaved aggressively, and is taking his medications. However, he is having nightmares and difficulty sleeping.

Still, the facility recommended he be sent home with continued therapy and medications. 

The juvenile’s defense attorney requested he be sent home to his mother under 24-hour curfew and GPS monitoring and continue going to school. 

According to the defense attorney, his mother is committed to ensuring the juvenile continues in compliance with court requirements, and his school is ready to have him back on campus. 

Even so, a representative from Social Services said the boy should be detained under DYRS’ custody once the 21-day psychiatric assessment is done.

Prosecutors stated they do not object to releasing him to his home, stating it would be better than a shelter.

Judge Hertzfeld decided to conditionally release the defendant, under a 24-hour curfew with GPS monitoring, along with continued therapy and medications. 

According to Judge Hertzfeld, the 24-hour curfew means the juvenile can “go to school, appointments, and home,” and may only be in other places if he’s with his mother. He’s also required to stay out of cars without his mother or the permission of the owner of the vehicle. 

Parties will reconvene Nov. 28.