Triple-Carjacking Defendant Waives Right to Speedy Trial

By Emily Reed [former] , Namita Nair [former] - July 3, 2024
Carjacking | Court | Daily Stories | Robbery | Suspects | Victims |

A triple-carjacking defendant informed DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on July 3 that he waived right to a speedy trial in order to be granted a new attorney.

Taysean Juwan Hawkins, 20, is charged with conspiracy, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of armed carjacking, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and fleeing a law enforcement officer, for his alleged involvement in multiple carjackings between Jan. 11 and 12, 2021 at various locations, including:

• the 1500 block of 30th Street, NW, where an Audi SUV was stolen at gunpoint but then recovered unoccupied on the 1200 block of Douglas Street, NE.
• the 4700 block of Alton Place, NW, where a black Acura was stolen at gunpoint less than two hours after the first armed carjacking.
• the 4300 block of Alton Place, NW, where a bright blue Toyota Rav4 SUV was stolen at gunpoint, three minutes after, and less than a half mile from the previous armed carjacking.
• the 2600 block of Benning Road, NE, where Hawkins was arrested after allegedly being seen by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers driving recklessly at a high rate of speed in the carjacked Acura.

At the hearing, Hawkins requested a new attorney say his current attorney, Janai Reed, has a conflict of interest and needs to be replaced before proceeding. The original June 27 trial date was vacated by the court in order to grant the request. 

Reed also filed an Interstate Agreement on Detainers (IAD) having to do with the transfer of prisoners between two states, which documented Hawkins giving up his right to have a trial within 120 days of arriving in DC. 

Prior to switching counsel, Hawkins was pending an independent competency examination and mental observation hearing. 

Parties are slated to reconvene July 22.