Judge Finds Probable Cause, Holds Defendants

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 24, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On July 23, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause and held two defendants.

Co-defendants Keon Smith, 20, and Ja’cori Williams, 16, are charged with armed carjacking and armed robbery for allegedly demanding a victim’s rental car at gunpoint on May 9 on the 4600 block of Livingston Road, SE. 

Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller said probable cause could only be found if you rely on the victim’s account. However, she said the victim was not acting like a reliable witness, citing his behavior and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers’ reaction to him.

“I don’t think it’s proper to conclude the victim was lying because of a police officer’s thoughts,” said Judge Neal Kravitz.

Weller said that the victim never made specific claims about the defendants. She also said the video surveillance of the incident was too blurry to identify who stole the vehicle.

Weller said there was no way of confirming the gun found on the defendant’s flight path was the same gun used in the offense, as the victim was never asked to confirm the weapon.

However, the prosecution cited the defendants’ fingerprints on the car and a gun that was found on the defendants’ flight path as reason for probable cause.

Judge Kravitz was not convinced that the gun was not the same used in the incident, saying it was unlikely a different loaded pistol would be lying in the location where it was found. 

He said there may be some legitimate questions raised about the victim’s credibility, but that there was enough corroboration with the evidence to find probable cause. 

He also chose to hold both defendants, citing the violent nature of their crimes and concern for community safety. 

According to court documents, Smith and Williams allegedly stole a dog and asked its owner to pay them $500 before they could return the dog. When the owner only provided $200, the two defendants allegedly pointed a gun at him and took his black Chevy Malibu. Surveillance footage showed the two men abandoning the vehicle at the intersection of Gainesville Street and Elvans Road, SE while being pursued by MPD officers.

The defendant’s next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.