Judge Continues Hearing for Burglary Defendants

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 24, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a hearing for burglary co-defendants at the request of both parties on July 24.

Antonni Flores-Diaz, 24, and Ryan Harding, 24, are charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into a residential building on the 1900 block of 3rd Street, NW and stealing a bicycle and vacuum cleaner on April 9. 

The hearing was continued because the Department of Corrections was not given sufficient time prepare. Both parties initially entered the hearing on July 24 with intentions to take a plea deal.

Judge Rainey Brandt said that the court was alerted of the agreement after hours last night. 

She said that the Department of Corrections, where Flores-Diaz and Harding are being held, needs more of a heads up in order to prepare for a plea agreement or release.

Counsel agreed to continue the hearing to a future date.

Before the next hearing date was set, Flores-Diaz asked for release.

Judge Brandt denied the request, saying she could not release the defendants based on their criminal histories and the nature of the crime.

According to court documents, while on pretrial release, Flores-Diaz picked up additional charges for assault with a dangerous weapon on April 14, when he threatened a victim with a knife on the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, NW, and contempt of court on April 30 for disobeying a stay away order.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 12 to discuss accepting a plea agreement with the prosecution.