DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean reviewed an armed carjacking defendant’s failure to comply with pretrial release conditions in a Feb 4 hearing.
Richard Bates, 19, is charged with armed carjacking, robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a carjacking on Sept. 13, 2023 on the 1600 block of Frankford Street, SE.
According to court documents, two armed men, one later identified as Bates, pulled alongside a parked driver. The two suspects got out of a white sedan and demanded the driver’s belongings. After retrieving the items, one of the suspects allegedly hit the driver on the head with a gun and drove off in the victim’s car.
At the hearing, Bates’ defense attorney, Christin Philips informed Judge McLean about Bates’ violating numerous release conditions regarding missed curfews and failed drug tests.
“There have been a total of seven curfew violations starting from Jan. 16,” Philips said.
Philips argued that Bates’ violations resulted from his eviction from the house where he was living. She also said, communicating with the Pre-Trial Services Agency (PSA) was difficult for Bates
According to Philips, the eviction was not documented or communicated to Bates’ PSA officer or Judge McLean because Bates mistakenly told the wrong people at PSA.
“The last time Bates’ saw his PSA officer was Jan. 14.” Philips said.
As a result of the violations, the prosecution requested 24-hour home confinement.
Judge McLean denied the prosecution’s request because of the miscommunication between the defendant and his PSA officer. McLean said these “unexplained issues” with PSA and Bates’ need to stop and recommended Bates’ case manager attend the next hearing.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 13.
