Carjacking Defendant Denied Release, Considers Plea Deal

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After being denied pre-trial release by D.C. Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on April 7, Tamika Burriss requested four days to consider a plea offer from the prosecution.

Burriss, 35, is charged with armed carjacking for allegedly threatening a man with a knife and injuring him slightly while attempting to take his vehicle. The incident occurred on Feb. 17, 2024, on the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW.

The deal offered by the prosecution would require Burriss to plead guilty to assault with intent to rob. In return, the prosecution would agree not to indict Burriss for armed carjacking and limit their sentencing request to the midpoint of the guidelines.

Burriss’ defense attorney, Quiana Harris, asked Judge Hertzfeld to release Burriss from the DC Jail and place her on 24 hour home confinement pending trial.

However, the prosecution argued that surveillance video footage captured Burriss committing the offense, and a bag containing her personal possessions was found at the scene.

Harris argued the video footage didn’t match the account given by the car owner, and Burriss would not have left her belongings behind unless something frightening had happened to her. Harris suggested the car owner had a motive to fabricate his story.

Harris noted that Burriss was seen driving her own car a few days after the incident, according to evidence presented by the prosecution. Harris argued it didn’t make sense for Burriss to attempt to carjack a grown man, especially since she possessed a car of her own.

Harris told the court that Burriss and her two young children were on a waiting list for a housing program for victims of domestic abuse before Burriss was detained. If Burriss is released, she can again be placed on the waiting list, Harris said. She added that the program will provide Burriss with mental health treatment once she is admitted.

Judge Hertzfeld rejected Harris’ request, saying Burriss has been unsuccessful in abiding by conditions of release in the past and has a history of bench warrants.

Parties are set to reconvene on April 11.