DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno presided over a hearing in which the court found the defendant was unaware of a plea agreement on June 18.
Markese Lewis, 31, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in a carjacking of an Uber driver. The incident took place on the unit block of Banner Place, NW, on May 31.
The suspect was allegedly able to force the driver side of the car open and punch the victim in the face. Then, the victim ran away. The suspect tried to start the car and the victim recorded the action on his phone. The video, earlier viewed in court, allegedly shows the suspect in the front driver’s seat of the victim’s car and also running towards the victim.
A plea offer, which would have reduced the armed carjacking charge to assault with intent to rob, was presented during a preliminary hearing on June 5. According to the prosecution, the they were going to withdraw the offer but the defense decided to go through with a preliminary hearing of the evidence.
During the hearing, the prosecution asked Judge Salerno to retroactively add the plea rejection to the record. Judge Salerno asked the prosecution why they would do that if it is already on the record. When Judge Salerno asked Lewis if he ever heard the plea deal, Lewis shook his head no.
The defendant was unaware that continuing with a preliminary hearing would result in a withdrawal of the plea offer which he still wants to consider.
The defense also requested release citing Lewis is a needed member of his community, and if released, Lewis would be able to get help and stay at the Samaritan’s Inn, a resource for people fighting homelessness and addiction. Even so, the prosecution asked for detention and Judge Salerno agreed.
Parties are slated to reconvene July 3.
