A young carjacking defendant rejected a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Sept. 19 in a case that could send all the young suspects to jail for decades.
Byron Gillum, Jaelen Jordan, Isaiah Flowers, Jahkai Goff, Warren Montgomery, Taj Giles and Irshaad Ellis-Bey, all 20 years old, are charged with conspiracy, trafficking stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery while armed. Charges stem from their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred at the intersection of K Street and 8th Street, NE, on April 27, 2023.
Additionally, Jordan, Goff, Gillum, Ellis-Bey, Giles, and Flowers are charged with two additional counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed carjacking of a senior citizen, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, and robbery of a senior citizen while armed. Charges stem from their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 600 block of Butternut Street, NE, on May 16, 2023.
The prosecution offered a plea deal to Flowers where if he pleaded guilty to armed carjacking for the May 16 incident, armed robbery for the April 27 incident and trafficking stolen property, they would dismiss all other charges. Additionally, they would reserve the enhancement for a senior citizen but not seek any others. Parties would have agreed to a sentencing range of 20-and-a-half-to-25-and-a-half years.
Flowers would not have to testify during trial, but would have to give statements to assist the prosecution.
Flowers rejected the offer.
The case is set to go to trial on Oct. 20 and will likely go through the end of the year, according to the prosecutor.
The prosecution explained that the harshest sentence the defendants could receive if convicted is 73-and-a-half years.
Judge Kravitz urged the defendants to discuss with their lawyers about whether they want to go to trial given the stiffs sentences they face. He emphasized that was not offering an opinion.
“This is your decision to make,” Judge Kravitz said.
Parties also discussed several outstanding motions, including Goff’s to preclude a DNA expert witness and footage from a music video. The other defendants’ attorneys said they did not receive these requests, despite a rule that requires co-defendants to send motions to all involved parties unless they are labeled differently.
Goff’s attorney, Janai Reed, said that another judge told her that she would not necessarily have to send the motions to the other defense attorneys. Judge Kravitz disagreed.
“This is not a closed question,” he said.
The prosecution also said their case involves around 100 witnesses if the defendants do not stipulate the facts from fingerprint and DNA witnesses. The prosecution said they want to reduce the number of witnesses through stipulations so the trial does not extend into the New Year.
The defense attorneys asked for a draft of the stipulations so they can discuss them with their clients. All defendants have to agree to the stipulations.
The stipulations and outstanding motions will be discussed in a hearing before the trial begins.
Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 26.
