Opposing attorneys presented their closing arguments in an armed carjacking and robbery trial before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on July 8.  Orlin Lemus-Cruz, 22, is charged with armed carjacking, two counts of robbery while armed, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a carjacking on March 26, 2025, on the 3100 block of Hiatt Place, NW.  Lemus-Cruz’s former co-defendants, 26-year-old Jason Benitez-Umanzor and 21-year-old Julio Villafranco, previously pleaded guilty for their involvement in the incident.  In their closing, prosecutors clarified that although the stolen vehicle was a moped, the offense is an armed carjacking. Read more »

A carjacking victim admitted to having doubts about who he identified to a detective as the person who robbed him before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on July 2.  Orlin Lemus-Cruz, 22, is charged with armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a robbery that took place on the 3100 block of Hiatt Place, NW, on March 26, 2025. Read more »

Parties in a carjacking case clashed over where the defendant obtained a Moncler jacket during a jury trial in DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld’s courtroom on July 1. Read more »

Parties clashed over the validity of an expert witness testimony at a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on June 18.  Orlin Lemus-Cruz, 22, is charged with armed carjacking, two counts of robbery while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt granted the release of a fatal crash defendant after finding probable cause on June 18. Read more »

A defendant pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on May 29. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel bluntly warned a stabbing probationer to get mandatory drug treatment or “shake, rattle and roll” on the jail floor.  Doctors have used the phrase to indicate the potential severity of withdrawal symptoms.  Lenare Leath, 22, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to assault with intent to commit robbery. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld rescheduled a carjacking trial on April 27 since she won't be in court on the date previously set. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a teen carjacking defendant to 18 months of probation with special conditions on April 24.  Antonio Gaither, 17, pleaded guilty on Aug. Read more »

A carjacking defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges read at an arraignment before DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on April 17.  ​​Antwon Brown, 34, is charged with unarmed carjacking, robbery, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and first degree theft for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on the 1400 block of 22nd Street, NE on July 20, 2023.   Brown’s attorney, Quiana Harris, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan ordered that a homicide defendant remain in the DC Jail April 6 after he was transferred there by mistake. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe granted release for a teen carjacking defendant with gunshot wounds on March 27.  Kurt Downs, 17, is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident at the 2700 block of Marrion Barry Avenue, SE on March 8.  Downs is charged under Title 16, which allows prosecutors to try juveniles as adults for certain serious offenses.  According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers detained Downs after he allegedly matched a lookout description for an armed carjacking. Read more »

A defense attorney in a carjacking case asked DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur to release her client in a hearing on March 31.  Antwon Brown, 33, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place at the 1400 block of 22nd Street, NE on July 20, 2023. Read more »

DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel ordered a carjacking defendant to undergo inpatient drug treatment on March 20.  Manuel Alvarado, 42, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident on the 1500 block of 7th Street, NW on April 26, 2023.  According to court documents, the carjacking victim reported that Alvarado was noticeably under the influence of drugs during the incident. Read more »

A defendant turned down a plea offer in a murder case before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Feb. Read more »