A carjacking defendant was sentenced before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Sept. 15.
On July 8, Markese Lewis, 31, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit robbery for his involvement in the carjacking of an Uber driver on the unit block of Banner Lane, NW, on May 31.
At sentencing, defense attorney Patrick Nowak provided a letter that Lewis wrote for the court. Judge Salerno took a few moments to read the letter that Lewis wanted to be read silently.
The prosecution explained that the victim chose not to present a victim impact statement in court and stated, “the victim continues to be afraid, serving as a rideshare driver.”
Additionally, the prosecution mentioned that Lewis had a 2022 misdemeanor case in which he was involved in the assault on a DC bus driver.
During that incident, Lewis allegedly forced the bus driver out of the bus and onto the ground. According to the prosecution, there were co-defendants who participated in the assault. The prosecution highlighted how Lewis was under supervision during the time of the assault.
The defense argued that during the carjacking there was no physical contact between Lewis and the Uber driver, and that he only caused damage to the inside of the front driver side door.
Evidently, the defense was not opposed to the prosecution’s order of restitution to pay for the Uber driver’s property damage.
Additionally, Nowak emphasized, “Mr. Lewis has been tortured at the DC Jail.” Lewis’ family, who was present in court, had sent letters explaining how Lewis had struggled with grief, developed alcoholism, and dealt with the trauma of isolation while in jail, according to the defense.
Essentially, the defense wanted the court to impose a period of probation for Lewis and asked that their main focus be rehabilitation.
Lewis was sentenced for the charge of assault with intent to commit robbery. The sentence consisted of a confinement of 24 months, with three years of supervised release.
Additionally, Lewis was ordered to pay a restitution amount of $1,500.
No further dates were set.
