DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld re-opened the 29 year sentence of a carjacking defendant after hearing the victim say the suspect was actually her defender on March 9.
Jerome Israel, 22 pleaded guilty to armed carjacking and two counts of unarmed carjacking in Aug. 2025. He was initially charged with conspiracy, six counts of armed carjacking, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, five counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle during a crime of violence, and one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle for his involvement in a carjacking at the intersection of 7th and D Street, SE on Aug. 29, 2022.
Judge Hertzfeld sentenced Israel on March 3, but the victim was not able to give an impact statement since she there was confusion about the time of the proceeding and she arrived too late.
“I have forgiven him,” the victim said, asking the judge to show mercy on the defendant.
In her story, the victim told the court how Israel stepped up to protect her during the carjacking. “Despite what happened, I see the defendant as a protector” and “God, used him to protect me,” she said after talking about how Israel stepped between her and the armed perpetrator when she was struggling to unlock and hand over her phone.
“Looking at you now, you were not the one pointing the gun at me,” the victim said. “Thank you for protecting me.”
Israel also read an apology letter for what he did and the people he hurt. He said he regrets his action and understands he cannot undo it.
Judge Hertzfeld re-opened sentencing to consider the victim’s impact statement and Israel’s letter. She will also consider re-sentencing under DC’s Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) which gives judges more flexibility about the terms of confinement and expunges the record of the defendant if he satisfies the legal requirements.
Sentencing is scheduled to continue on April 9.
