DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Rafinnan in an Aug. 30 hearing denied a defendant’s request to be released under home confinement and GPS monitoring after a trial delay due to a hospitalized witness.
Daquan Jackson, 28, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident on March 3 on the 1000 block of H Street, NE.
On Aug. 26, the prosecution alerted the court of their essential witness’s unexpected hospitalization, and requested trial be delayed until they can guarantee the person’s availability.
On Aug. 29, Sara Kopecki, Jackson’s attorney, filed a motion requesting that Jackson be released under home confinement and GPS monitoring because Jackson’s right to a speedy trial was compromised. She argued he does not have a history of avoiding court procedures.
During the hearing, the prosecution objected, stating Jackson was on parole for violent offenses when he allegedly committed the crime. They also argued he was convicted of escaping from prison in 2018, and are worried that he would not return to court if released and would be a danger to society.
According to the prosecution, the witness remains in the hospital, and reinstated their request for trial to be delayed.
Judge Raffinan granted the motion to delay the trial, and denied Kopecki’s motion to release Jackson due to his criminal history and the nature and circumstances of the offense.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 2.
