Armed carjacking co-defendants failed to appear in court before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian–one had his appearance waived for medical reasons, but the other, released recently from jail in Virginia, had a second bench warrant issued for his arrest.
Peguy Sikadi and Lamar Stephens, 37, are each charged with armed carjacking, five counts of robbery while armed, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, eleven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for their alleged involvement in a May 26, carjacking on the 2000 block of 13th Street, NW.
During the hearing prosecutors updated the court on Sikadi’s status stating that the first bench warrant issued for Sikadi was not transferred to the US Marshals in time for Virginia marshals to see the detainer before releasing Sikadi back into the community.
Marnitta King, Stephens’ attorney, made inquiries as to whether the cases would be severed given that Sikadi’s location was now unknown.
Prosecutors opposed severing the case asserting that the defendants’ charges were all linked and that they would not oppose continuing the trial date.
Judge Christian agreed, setting a new trial date for Jan. 21, 2025 and issuing a second bench warrant for Sakidi in case the first had been quashed.
Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 9, 2025.
