DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro delayed a carjacking defendant’s sentencing to March in a hearing on Dec. 2.
On Aug. 29, Derrick West, 18, pleaded guilty to unarmed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery for his involvement in a series of carjackings and thefts occurring between Sept. 17 and Sept 30.
One armed carjacking took place on Sept. 19 on the 900 block of 11th Street, NE. Another occurred on the 800 block of P Street, NW, on Sept. 20. The last on the 100 block of 35th Street, NW, on Sept. 30.
During the hearing, parties discussed a defense motion to postpone West’s sentencing, which was initially set for December, until after his high school graduation.
Educational attorney Rachel Russo told the court that West was currently enrolled in high school and doing well. She said that she wanted to defer West’s sentencing until after he graduates in February of 2027, and argued that he would be unable to receive his diploma if he went to prison instead.
She told the judge that West had recently qualified for special education services, which he had been denied for years, and that any GED programs through the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) would be unable to support him.
The prosecution opposed the deferred sentencing, arguing that West shouldn’t be released for an extended period. He explained that West had committed a series of crimes that “terrorized the community,” and that West forfeited his release by committing the offenses.
The prosecution was also concerned about how long West would remain in the community, claiming that West’s doing poorly in school could result in “multiple additional semesters” and further prolong the case.
According to the prosecution, delaying the sentencing denied the victims the closure and justice they deserved.
Judge Di Toro acknowledged that there were “competing interests” in the case. She said that, while she wanted West to finish his education, the victims also had a right to see the case concluded, and noted that the community was “significantly damaged” by West’s actions.
Di Toro said that she was not inclined to delay the sentencing until February 2027, and after consulting with Russo on West’s school schedule, set a new sentencing date at the end of West’s current semester in March.
Parties are set to reconvene on March 13 for the sentencing.
