During a status hearing on March 5. the prosecution and defense asked a DC Superior Court judge if the youth rehabilitation act applied to a murder defendant.
Elijah Jarmon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for shooting Taquan Pinkney on the 2800 block of Stanton Road, SE on Sept. 9, 2018. Jarmon, 19, allegedly had gotten into an altercation with Pinkney, 18. Apparently, Jarmon followed Pinkney and his friends while carrying a firearm, shooting Pinkney in the back.
The prosecutor said she was afraid the defendant would withdraw his guilty plea if the youth rehabilitation act did not apply to him. The youth act may provide sentencing alternatives.
“I don’t want this to drag out and then we get to sentencing and everything changes”, the prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Anita Josey-Herring.
Jarmon’s defense attorney, James King, told the prosecutor and Judge Josey-Herring that there was nothing to worry about. He said his client was not planning on taking back his guilty plea.
“There is nothing to worry about when it comes to a withdrawal,” King said.
Judge Josey-Herring said she would find out if Jarmon falls under the youth act.
A full report and sentencing is scheduled for July 10.
This article was written by Jailynn Caraballo.
