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By
Keirah Chen
, Michelle Roldan - February 4, 2025
Carjacking
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Suspects
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A carjacking defendant waived her right to a preliminary hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond on Jan 31.
Amiya Hilliard, 20, is charged with unarmed carjacking, robbery while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement in trying to steal a motor vehicle using force and violence while also possessing a firearm on Nov. 5, 2024, on the 4900 Block of Jay Street, NE.
Elizabeth White, Hilliard’s defense attorney, stated that Hilliard intended to waive her right to a preliminary hearing.
White also requested that Hilliard be released on home confinement, citing her tragic past and lack of community resources indicating jail detrimental to her mental health.
The prosecution argued that the offense Hilliard committed was serious and she allegedly had a firearm. Furthermore, the three victims involved in the robbery identified Hilliard as the suspect.
Judge Raymond accepted that the hearing waiver was given voluntarily and freely but denied the request for release, stating that the offense was “phenomenally disturbing.”
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 19.