Robbery and Carjacking Defendant Refuses to Appear in Court at Sentencing

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A victim was unable to read an impact statement in court on July 26 before DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz because the defendant refused to appear.

James McNeil, 26, was found guilty of stealing a car from an individual while threatening him with a knife on Aug. 1, 2022, on the 200 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE. That same day, on the 600 block of 21st St NE, McNeil attempted to steal someone’s purse with another suspect. The victim was pulled to the ground and kicked.

On May 6, McNeil pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery while armed.

In court, one of the victims was present to read an impact statement but was unable to do so because McNeil refused to get off the bus.

Judge Leibovitz moved the matter to later in the afternoon, but after two hours the defendant still refused to enter the courtroom.

McNeil’s sentencing was rescheduled for July 31.