Carjacking Suspect Rejects Plea Offer, Trial Date Set

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In a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer DiToro on Aug. 15, a carjacking defendant turned down a plea offer asserting his right to go to trial.

Vincent Jones, 30, is charged with unarmed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery while armed for his involvement in an incident that occurred on June 16, 2023 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

During the hearing the prosecutor repeated a plea offer that would have required Jones to plead guilty to one count of armed robbery with an imitation firearm and one count of armed carjacking in return for not filing an indictment on greater charges and capping Jones’ sentence at five years.

According to court documents, the victim was surrounded by three men, one of them armed with what appeared to be an automatic weapon. During the encounter one of the suspects told the victim to, “give that s*** up!. At which point he surrendered his car keys and a bag containing $400 and credit cards. The suspects then fled in the victim’s 2014 Toyota Corolla.

While expressing some initial confusion about details of the deal, Jones ultimately rejected the plea and decided to go to trial.

His attorney, Peter Odom, noted that the complaining witness in the case has been arrested on a firearms charge and asked the prosecution to provide details to the defense on the grounds the information could be “exculpatory.”

Odom also asked Judge DiToro to release Jones on the grounds that his criminal record was “fairly minimal,” and that he’s had a child since his arrest as well as family support.

The prosecution objected, saying Jones’ circumstances have not markedly changed since his arrest. The judge agreed, ruling that Jones remain detained.

Judge DiToro set a trial date in the case for Nov. 7.