DC Superior Court Judge Charmetra Jackson Parker denied an armed carjacking defendant’s release after she waived her right to a preliminary hearing on June 8.
Ge’onnie Fields, 20, is charged with armed carjacking for her alleged involvement in a theft of an Uber driver’s Honda Civic at the intersection of 1st and V Streets, SW on May 27.
Fields’ attorney, Melissa Jackson, alerted the court to her client’s intent to waive her right to a preliminary hearing of the evidence, which Judge Parker accepted.
Jackson requested Fields’ release under strict conditions, arguing that no individuals were injured and pointing to a lack of evidence as to whether the gun was hers or, in fact, a real gun. She also emphasized Fields’ young age and self-improvement efforts since the incident, through mental health services, a summer employment program, and special education.
However, the prosecution sought continued detention, given the seriousness of the charge. They asserted the weight of the evidence supported a hold, including CCTV video footage of the Uber and Fields’ alleged presence in the pulled-over car.
Prosecutors also noted Fields’ prior criminal history of an attempt to commit robbery while armed, proving that imposing release conditions would be necessary but not sufficient to keep the community safe.
Judge Parker decided to keep Fields at the DC Jail because of the potential risk to her own safety due to prior mental health episodes. In addition, her non-compliance with the court’s conditions of intensive probation in her previous case could pose a threat to the community’s well-being, the judge determined.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 13.
