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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- February 7, 2019
Court
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Homicides
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Policy
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Suspects
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During a hearing Feb. 7, a DC Superior Court judge ordered a teenager be transferred from a juvenile facility to DC Jail, per the prosecution’s request.
Elijah Jarmon is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 18-year-old Taquan Pinkney on the 2800 block of Stanton Road, SE on Sept. 9, 2018.
The prosecution’s request was filed in December, nearly a month after Jarmon turned 18. According to the prosecution the law stipulates that Jarmon be moved to DC Jail. There’s “no ambiguity,” the prosecutor said.
The Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016 states that people under the age of 18 are to be transferred from DC jail to juvenile facilities. The transfer mandate went into effect on Oct. 1, 2018.
According to DC Courts, Jarmon, 18, was committed to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and placed at a juvenile facility on Nov. 9, 2018 even though his birthday was on Oct. 25, 2018.
Defense attorney James King argued against the prosecution’s motion to reconsider Jarmon’s placement saying, it’s at the judge’s discretion to choose whether or not to transfer someone after they’ve turned 18. King also said that DYRS can house individuals up to the age of 21.
Furthermore, King said Jarmon receives certain educational services at New Beginnings, a Maryland based juvenile facility, that would not be available if he was “uprooted” from the facility.
Judge Danya Dayson said that while she understands the educational aspect, she thinks the law is clear and ordered Jarmon be placed at the DC Jail.
According to court documents, a witness said he was with Pinkney and two other people when three unidentified individuals came up to the group and a fight broke out. Apparently, the group stopped fighting and the three unidentified individuals started following Pinkney and the witness. The witness said he looked back and saw Jarmon with a gun and heard gunshots.
Jarmon is scheduled for a status hearing on March 25.