DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro released a carjacking defendant to home confinement but held her co-defendant in a hearing on April 14. The matter was complicated by an earlier ruling releasing Jackson.
Zoe Jackson, 27, and Kayvon Bell, 24, are both charged with armed carjacking and Jackson is additionally charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 3200 block of 15th Place, SE on March 11. Two other suspects are reportedly still unidentified.
According to court documents, Jackson purchased a Volkswagen from the victim on Feb. 19, but was unsatisfied with its condition. The victim reportedly offered to swap vehicles with Jackson, but found that the Volkswagen was defective and rescinded the offer. Jackson, Bell, and the other two suspects then allegedly tased the victim in the back multiple times, threatened to shoot him, and drove away with the victim’s Chevrolet Malibu.
During the hearing, Judge Di Toro heard arguments for a motion to review Jackson’s release that his attorney, Lauren Morehouse filed.
The prosecutor argued that the magistrate judge, DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond, who presided over Jackson’s preliminary hearing “misstated” whose burden it was to show evidence to keep Jackson detained. The prosecutor stated it was their responsibility to show there is no combination of conditions to ensure the safety of the community.
The prosecutor said Judge Raymond’s analysis of the facts was proper, and they made the correct decision by holding Jackson, and asked Judge Di Toro to adopt the decision.
Morehouse argued that it wasn’t a misstatement on the magistrate’s part, but a “complete misunderstanding.”
Judge Di Toro granted the bond review motion, stating she listened to Jackson’s preliminary hearing and there was “slippery” language during the proceeding. The judge placed Jackson in 24-hour home confinement, with exceptions only for medical reasons.
Bell’s attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, argued for his release and requested he also be placed in home confinement. Sapirstein claimed Bell didn’t have a weapon in the incident. However, Sapirstein also revealed that Bell has an unrelated pending matter in which he is accused of carrying a pistol without a license.
The prosecutor argued against Bell’s release, stating that Bell allegedly assaulted the victim and chased him in a car back to the incident address. The prosecutor also expressed concern for Bell’s ability to comply with release conditions, as the incident occurred while Bell was on release in another matter.
Judge Di Toro decided not to release Bell, and said the prosecution showed enough evidence to keep Bell detained.
The prosecution also requested that the stay-away order between the victim and Jackson be applied to Bell as well, which the judge granted.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 13.
