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By
Cathy Ochoa
- November 28, 2024
Carjacking
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Daily Stories
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Suspects
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A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld’s courtroom found a carjacking defendant guilty of all charges on Nov. 21.
Maurice Edwards, 20, was charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in an incident that took place at the intersection of 48th Place and Lee Street, NE on March 11. He will remain detained pending sentencing.
Azusa Beatty, 29, was originally a co-defendant but the cases were severed and Beatty will have a separate trial. She is also charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement in the incident.
During the trial, the prosecution played a video of a car accident which, according to both parties, depicts Edwards and Beatty driving together, running a stop sign, and hitting another car.
The victim testified Edwards then pulled out a gun as they were arguing which the prosecution says allowed Beatty to enter the victim’s car.
During closing arguments, the prosecution claimed that Beatty later made several phone calls to a number linked to Edwards’ phone while incarcerated. Recordings were played for the jury and included a person identified as Edwards saying, “I know you’re not telling on me,” and “We hit him, or he hit us.”
The recording also featured Beatty allegedly saying, “I’m only in here because of you,” and “I would not even be in here if I snitched on you.” According to the prosecution, these statements imply consciousness of guilt and collusion.
Raymond Jones, Edwards’ defense counsel, argued the prosecution’s evidence leaves reasonable doubt because there is no proof that Edwards threatened the victim with a gun to aid in a carjacking.
Nonetheless, the jury delivered a guilty verdict.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21.