Judge Denies Juvenile Defendant’s Release Request

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On Sept. 20, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno denied a juvenile defendant’s motion for release.

The juvenile, a 17-year-old male, is charged with various charges, including assault with intent to kill, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on June 9 on the 2200 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. The incident left an adult female suffering from life-threatening injuries.

During the Sept. 20 proceeding, the defense attorney stated his grandmother, who is his legal guardian, would be able to and wants to have the juvenile move back in with her as he awaits trial.

According to the defense attorney, when the juvenile was in school, he was an exceptional student and made the honor roll. She requested he be released under 24-hour home confinement, GPS monitoring, and that a “stay-away” from DC be ordered, which would be possible since the grandmother lives outside of DC.

She argued that the defendant turned himself in on Sept. 15, after an initial attempt in June, when he was apparently turned away by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and told to return during business hours.

Social Services alerted Judge Salerno they recommended the defendant remain detained, stating that his family did not see him for close to a month during the summer. Prosecutors agreed, arguing the juvenile knew for three months that there was a warrant out for his arrest.

The judge denied the defense’s request for release, and ordered the juvenile remain at the Youth Services Center (YSC).

Parties are expected to return to court Oct. 4.