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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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DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause that a defendant was a perpetrator in an armed carjacking on Jan. 31.
Laiten Bell, 20, is charged with armed carjacking, robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the armed carjacking and assault of a woman on the 4300 Block of 3rd Street, SE on Jan. 22.
During the preliminary hearing, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said he had spoken to the victim then conducted a photo confirmation when she identified Bell as one of the perpetrators.
He was also part of the search warrant team of co-defendant Cornell Jamison’s, 20, apartment on the 4200 Block of 4th Street, SE. In his apartment, police allegedly found the victim’s coat along with four handguns and one rifle. The prosecution said Bell had been arrested with Jamison before, and used this information along with the identification to conclude Bell was one of the four co-defendants in the armed robbery and assault.
The prosecution also showed a video allegedly taken by Jamison of Bell kicking, beating, and berating the victim that he posted on his Instagram account and Reddit.
The defense, Adam Harris, rebutted that, while the complainant did identify Bell from the confirmation photo shown by MPD, she got his name wrong, referring to him as “Nathan.”
Judge Raymond decided that there was probable cause found based on the victims description of Bell and identification.
“In the video that I watched, [the victim] was absolutely scared out of her mind,” Judge Raymond said in response to the defense’s argument that the complainant got Bell’s name wrong.
Judge Raymond found probable cause, ordered Bell to remain detained, and issued a stay away order from the victim and the 4300 Block of 3rd Street, SE.
Parties are slated to reconvene for the initial status hearing on Feb. 24.