DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno granted a carjacking defendant’s request for a new attorney on April 8 after the defendant expressed his intention to withdraw his guilty plea.
Jordan Grice, 19, pleaded guilty to armed carjacking on Aug. 20, 2025 for his alleged involvement in a carjacking at the 1000 block of 10th Street, NW on Aug, 16, 2024.
Grice is charged under Title 16, which allows prosecutors to try juveniles as adults for certain serious offenses.
According to court documents, Grice is accused of holding the victim at gunpoint, before driving off in the victim’s car with their cellphone. Using a GPS monitor placed on Grice as a condition for release in a separate case, detectives reportedly placed Grice at the incident location.
Craig Richard, Grice’s attorney, informed Judge Salerno he is withdrawing from the case in light of Grice’s desire to withdraw his guilty plea. In a motion filed by Richard on April 7, Richard said “Grice will benefit from consultation with independent counsel.”
Judge Salerno inquired if new counsel has been assigned. Richard stated Carrie Weletz will take over the case.
The prosecution objected to the potential withdrawal of Grice’s guilty plea, but will wait until the next hearing to make arguments with Weletz.
The parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 26.
