DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean ruled in favor of severing one defendant in a four co-defendant armed carjacking case during a June 29 hearing.
Kanna Bowen, 26, Travis Morris, 34, James Matheny, 32, and Rashid Woods, 30, are charged with conspiracy, armed carjacking, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a carjacking that took place on May 30, 2024. The incident occurred at the 2100 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE.
On June 22, Stephen LoGerfo, Bowen’s attorney, filed a motion to sever Bowen’s case from the co-defendants. In the motion, LoGerfo argued that there was significantly less evidence to implicate Bowen in the charges in comparison to the other co-defendants. He stated that as a result, she may face prejudice or heightened guilt by association, warranting a separate trial.
Judge McLean and the prosecution also considered how Bowen’s statements could be presented at trial, including whether references that could identify her co-defendants would need to be redacted. All parties agreed severing Bowen was the best step forward to ensure the full scope of evidence could be shared with the jury.
Morris and Woods also asked to be severed; however, Judge McLean declined those requests for lack of merit.
Bowen’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 5 and she is slated to return to court on Sept. 24.
Morris, Matheny and Woods are slated to reconvene in court Feb 5, 2027.
