DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann found probable cause that a carjacking defendant was the perpetrator in an incident during a hearing on June 3, 2025.
Paquette Deshazier, 19, is charged with unarmed carjacking, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possessing a firearm during an act of violence for his alleged involvement in a carjacking. The incident occurred on the 2200 block of Newton Street, NE on May 13.
During the hearing, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified that at first his role in the investigation was to review video evidence and write the affidavit for the incident. However, shortly after, he was handed the title of lead detective after realizing it was a violent crime.
Under cross examination, the defense attorney, Theodore Shaw, asked if the detective had spoken with the victim. The detective replied that he had one phone conversation with the person the weekend after Deshazier was arrested, but did not take any notes due to the fact that “there wasn’t anything of much substance”.
However, he did note inconsistencies between the victim’s account and what was captured in the video footage. One major inconsistency being that the complainant said the keys were left in the ignition at the time of the crime. However, it was later discovered that they were allegedly removed from the victim’s waistband.
While reviewing video footage during the encounter, the detective said that he could see the suspects reaching in their waistband for a small semi-pistol and handgun, appearing to open the stolen vehicle with an object that looked like car keys and the suspects taking items out of the vehicle that were too small to differentiate on video.
When asked if he had identified any other individuals involved, the detective stated he had only identified one person so far.
Later, Shaw argued that there was limited information on the stolen car’s registration implying that the vehicle could have been registered to Deshazier. Judge Herrman stated that the defendant partially confessed to the theft therefore the defense’s argument was irrelevant.
In another attempt to impeach the detective, Shaw pressed him about disciplinary actions he may have received over prosecution objections.
Shaw requested that the court not find probable cause for Deshazier’s charges, then asked for his client’s pretrial release. In finding that Deshazier probably commited the crime, Judge Herrman stated “this is obviously a violent offense,” and denied all requests for bond.
Parties are slated to reconvene June 17.
