Carjacking Defendant Waives Prelim Hearing, Denied Release

By Belinda Miguel , Adrianna Bhan - June 20, 2024
Carjacking | Court | Daily Stories | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond denied a carjacking defendant’s request for release June 18 after he waived his rights to a preliminary hearing.

Lamar Stephens, 37, is charged with unarmed carjacking, five counts of robbery while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in a carjacking incident that occurred on the 1600 block of V Street, SE on May 26.

According to court documents, a group of five individuals had been robbed at gunpoint by two suspects, who fled in the victims’ parked rental car. During the incident, the victims’ phone and wallet containing credit cards was also stolen. A black handgun was brandished, but never fired. 

Officers were able to track the defendant’s location through the stolen phone. He was later detained after a brief foot pursuit, court documents stated. 

Marnitta King, Stephens’ defense attorney, \requested he be released as he awaits further proceedings. King argued no one could identify Stephens, therefore he should not be held. 

King also shared that Stephens has a prosthetic eye and memory loss, insisting the treatment he’s received at the DC Jail has been inadequate. She argued the community’s safety could be guaranteed if he were to be confined at his home, with limited permissions to leave for medical appointments. 

The prosecution disagreed, stating that Stephens was “on probation for robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm without a license,” when he was arrested for this incident. 

According to the prosecution, there has been “no period in the last two decades where he hasn’t been incarcerated or before a judge.” The prosecutor asked that Stephens remain held until his trial. 

Judge Raymond agreed with the prosecution stating, “I will absolutely not be releasing him because of his medical conditions,” however, Judge Raymond agreed to recommend that Stephens be transferred to the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) to receive adequate treatment.

Parties are slated to return July 17.