A DC Superior Court judge denied a murder defendant’s request to withdraw his guilty plea.
During a hearing in February 2020, Elijah Jarmon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for the shooting of 18-year-old Taquan Pinkney on Sept. 9, 2018. As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to recommend a 12-year prison sentence.
Jarmon, 21, went on to request that he withdraw his guilty plea. When parties met to discuss the matter on Feb. 7, defense attorney Kevann Gardner said he wanted Jarmon “just to have his day in court” and understand what he is getting into.
Gardner said he was told by Jarmon’s former attorney that the defendant expressed his desire to withdraw his plea the day after it was made.
Judge Milton Lee considered the length of time between the plea proceedings and withdrawal request, as well as if Jarmon had confidence in his defense counsel. He ultimately decided to deny the motion. Jarmon is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22.
