Carjacking Defendants Waive Preliminary Hearing

By Joseph Wolf - October 10, 2024
Carjacking | Daily Stories | Suspects |

Two carjacking co-defendants waived their rights to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond on Oct. 9. 

Shani Burriss, 24, and Rodre Holloway, 26, are charged with two counts of carjacking for their alleged involvement in carjacking incidents on Aug. 18 and Aug. 25. The Aug. 18 carjacking took place on the 1400 block Morse Street, NE, while the Aug. 25 incident took place at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Piney Branch Road, NW. 

According to court documents, the victim stated that he was walking to a residence after leaving his car to deliver food. When he approached the residence, he turned around to see someone getting into his car and driving away. 

Pertaining to the Aug. 25 hearing in the case, the victim stated that he was at the incident intersection when he saw six individuals stop in a crosswalk blocking his way. During the argument, a suspect punched the victim through the driver-side window and a verbal altercation turned physical. The remaining suspects got into the victim’s car and waited for the last suspect to get in before driving off.

During the Oct. 9 hearing, Elizabeth Paige White, Burriss’ defense attorney, and Derrick Page, Holloway’s attorney, alerted the court of their intent to waive their preliminary hearing rights. 

White requested Burriss be released, arguing that several release conditions, at the judge’s discretion, could be put in place to ensure the safety of the community. She argued that Burriss does not pose a threat and has several connections to the community, along with family ties. He also has a six-year-old daughter he wishes to still care for and has stable employment.

Likewise, Page requested that Judge Raymond release Holloway to house arrest so that he could continue to care for his three kids and maintain his job. He argued Holloway’s criminal history is light.

Judge Raymond found that the presumption of dangerousness had not been rebutted, and ordered Halloway and Burriss continue to be detained. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 30.