Judge Denies 18-Year-Old Carjacking Defendant’s Request for Release

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Ahead of a trial date expected to begin in August, DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz denied an 18-year-old carjacking defendant’s release from the DC Jail on July 11.

Hanif Brown, 18, is charged with unarmed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly stealing an individual’s car on April 9, 2023, on the 2700 block of 9th Street, NW.

Brown is also charged with two counts of robbery for his alleged involvement in separate robberies of two individuals’ belongings on April 9, 2023, at the intersection of 11th Street and U Street, NW and the intersection of 11th Street and Wallach Place, NW.

At the hearing, Brown’s defense attorney, Andrew Ain, referred to his motion filed on June 26, arguing for his client to be placed under house arrest while on GPS monitoring.

In his written motion, Ain stated that at the time of the offenses, Brown had no criminal record and was living with his mother after graduating from high school.

Ain also mentioned that Brown had a child born while incarcerated and “remains on good terms with the child’s mother.”

“It has been a year since Brown’s arrest and he has had time to mature and to reflect on his goals,” wrote Ain in his filed motion.

At the hearing, Ain asserted that Brown has “had [a] wake up call,” referring to his client’s time spent in jail.

In opposition, the prosecution did not support the release of Brown into the community and stated that his place of residence has been a location where he has stored weapons, which they said was “deeply troubling.”

Despite Brown’s bleak criminal record prior to this case, Judge Leibovitz stated that given his charges in three violent offenses while allegedly possessing a firearm, she would deny his request for release.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 25.