An armed carjacking defendant requested that his case be severed from his co-defendant’s in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Dec. 2.
Lamar Stephens, 38, and Peguy Sikadi are charged with armed carjacking, five counts of armed robbery, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, eleven counts of firearm possession during a crime of violence, and the unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in an armed carjacking on the 1600 block of V Street, SE, on May 26, 2024.
During the hearing, defense attorney Sharon Weathers, on behalf of Sikadi, told the court that Sikadi wanted his case to be separated from Stephens.
She explained that Sikadi had a trial date for another case in July, which would potentially interfere with the timing of this case. She also claimed that Sikadi’s counsel in the other case was dealing with the prosecution, which she claimed was a reason to consider severance.
Judge Di Toro requested they file a motion in writing for the severance.
Weathers also asked for the prosecution to notify the court of any plea offers extended to the defendants, and the prosecution said that there was one plea offer for Stephens. The offer would have had him plead guilty to carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and second-degree burglary in exchange for the prosecution dismissing all other charges.
The prosecution said that there were no current plea offers for Sikadi, who joined the case late, but that they would be offering one soon.
Parties are set to return on Jan. 5.
