A carjacking defendant rejected a plea offer in front of DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel in a hearing on July 14, opting to take his case to trial.
Martrail Cunningham, 26, is charged with two counts of armed carjacking and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in multiple incidents, which occurred on Aug. 4, 2024, at the 1300 block of Wallach Place, NW, and on Aug. 25 at the 1300 block of Jasper Place, SE.
Cunningham’s defense attorney, Darryl Daniels, alerted the court that Cunningham was rejecting a plea offer extended by the prosecution that would have required him to plead guilty to two counts of unarmed carjacking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.
Judge Israel and the prosecution expressed surprise at the rejection, since Cunningham had previously signaled he might accept. Due to the breakdown in plea negotiations, the court granted the prosecution’s motion to extend the indictment deadline for 45 days.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 31.
