Two carjacking defendants accepted plea deals before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on Sept. 8.
Kevin Lester, 37, and Traviyan Hardy, 24, were originally charged with unarmed carjacking for their involvement in a carjacking on June 13. The incident occurred on the 300 block of 40th Street, SE.
Judge Pipe acknowledged and accepted the co-defendants’ requests to enter pleas. Lester and Hardy both pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
In acknowledging guilt the defendants waive their right to trial, indictment, and DNA testing. In turn, the prosecution will not be seeking an indictment. The prosecution also recommended that the two counts run concurrently.
The DC sentencing guideline in this case calls for between 48-and-66 months for Lester. The defendant can withdraw his plea if Judge Pipe decides it is not appropriate.
The prosecutor stated that their evidence would’ve proved the guilt of Lester and Hardy beyond a reasonable doubt. They said that Lester pulled the victim from the vehicle while Hardy robbed the person and the pair then stole the vehicle.
Judge Pipe ordered a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) Study for Hardy pending sentencing which gives the court more flexibility when imposing her sentence. A pre-sentence investigation report was ordered for Lester.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 14 for sentencing.
