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By
Lauren Andreala [former]
- November 13, 2024
Carjacking
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Daily Stories
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Suspects
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DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum denied a carjacking defendant’s request for release after he waived a preliminary hearing on Nov. 6.
Bruce Hart, 30, is charged with endangerment with a firearm in a public place, carrying a pistol without a license- outside home/business, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and unlawful possession of a firearm- tampering with a serial number, for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred on the 1800 block of Wiltberger Street, NW on Oct. 26.
According to court documents, Shot Spotter detected a bullet’s being fired, while officers received calls reporting sounds of gunfire at the crime scene.
During the hearing, Hart’s defense attorney, Howard McEachern, filed a waiver for the preliminary hearing to determine if there’s enough information to evidence to charge a defendant . The judge accepted, and filed an additional request for Hart to be released as he awaits further proceedings.
McEachern argued that Hart has been a lifelong resident of DC for the past 30 years. Despite the severity of the crime, there are safe conditions that can keep the community protected and enable him to report to court.
The prosecution argued against release based on failed opportunities on reporting to court in another matter, the weight of evidence, and the severity of the crime.
Judge Hildum agreed with the prosecution, explaining based on Hart’s history of not reporting to court when being on release, there are no conditions he could impose that would keep the community safe and enable Hart to report to court.
Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 15.