A defendant asserted his right to keep his public defender service (PDS) attorneys for representation before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on July 25.
Aniq-Kai Covington, 17, has been charged with armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed, unauthorized use of a vehicle, receiving stolen property worth $1000 or more, carrying a pistol without a license, and possessing an unregistered firearm for his alleged involvement in a carjacking on the 2700 block of 31st Street SE. Covington is being charged as an adult under Title 16, which is permissible for youth’s charged with certain serious offenses.
During the hearing, Covington agreed to dual representation by his PDS lawyers, Varsha Govindaraju and Damayanti Desai, who are representing another carjacking defendant in a case that allegedly has DNA evidence that may link Covington to that incident.
The other carjacking defendant, Dontrell Davis, 17, is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery while armed and unarmed carjacking for his involvement in five incidents in September 2023 including:
- Theft of a vehicle on Sept. 1 at the 1900 block of 2nd Street, NE
- Armed robbery on Sept. 3 at the 3800 block of 9th Street, SE
- Armed robbery on Sept. 10 at the intersection of 18th and Erie Streets, SE
- Armed robbery on Sept. 11 at the 1200 block of Savannah Street, SE
- Two armed carjackings on Sept. 11 at the 3300 block of 4th Street, SE, and the 2900 block of Erie Street, SE
Covington agreed that his lawyers cannot initiate plea negotiations with the prosecution that may negatively impact Davis. Covington, as part of the agreement, cannot complain about bad or “insufficient” counsel on the grounds of dual representation in the event of a conviction.
Govindaraju and Desai affirmed that it was “not a possibility for Covington to cooperate in any capacity” with the Davis matter. Covington will not become a defendant or a witness in the other case.
Covington’s conflict counsel, Katherine Massey, requested to stay on the case, despite the resolution, due to the connection between the defendants in the separate cases. Judge Salerno approved the request.
Parties are slated to reconvene July 31.
