Defendant Pleads Not Guilty To 24 Charges Including Carjacking

By Elizabeth Bernstein , Elizabeth Brady - September 27, 2024
Carjacking | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

During a hearing on Sept. 27, a defense attorney alerted DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow that an armed assault and carjacking defendant is pleading not guilty to 24 charges that stem from two separate incidents.

Carlos Shelley, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, first-degree burglary, threat to kidnap or injure a person, and second-degree cruelty to children with a grave risk while armed for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place on Nov. 9, 2023, at the 1800 block of Irving Street, NE.

Shelley is also charged with unarmed carjacking, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, unauthorized use of a vehicle, first-degree theft, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, flee law enforcement, reckless driving, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place on Dec. 18, 2023, at the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. 

Following the December incident, the police tracked a suspect vehicle and followed the defendant into a wooded area. He surrendered and was arrested for both cases. 

Shelley’s defense attorney, Christen Philips, invoked the defendant’s right to a speedy trial and requested all discovery from the prosecution. 

The prosecution requested a DNA test to determine if there was a probable match between the defendant’s DNA and evidence from multiple crime scenes.

The judge said  the prosecution hasn’t determined if there is any DNA from the scene to perform a test, questioning the necessity of the request. 

The defense and prosecution requested the carjacking case trail the felony assault case. Parties will reconvene on Nov. 15 before Judge Pasichow.

Due to Shelley’s being indicted on an additional felony charge in the assault case, the case is set to be transferred to DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 21 where new trial dates will be set.