DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean admonished an armed carjacking defendant to improve his compliance with release conditions on Feb. 13.
Richard Bates, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, armed carjacking, robbery while armed, and three counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a carjacking on Sept. 13, 2023 on the 1600 block of Frankford Street, SE.
Judge McLean said she saw few curfew violations and asked the defense to provide an explanation.
Bates’ defense attorney, Madhuri Swarna, said his family is currently unhoused resulting in missed curfews because he was staying at a family friend’s house to keep warm.
Judge McLean also noted that Bates went to a tobacco store around midnight on Feb. 3. Swarna said the store sells food alongside cigarettes and drugs. The reason was was Bates was hungry and went to the closest food store near him.
A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said that Bates has not reported for mental health screening from Dec. 8 to Feb. 2, making him a lost contact. Bates was recently placed with a caseworker to begin a drug program.
Christen Philips, Bates’ other attorney, said he was still meeting with a social worker and therapist that provided substance abuse counseling.
Judge McLean raised concerns about Bates’ attendance at Youth Build, an educational program to re-engage his learning, since he only participated a few times. Philips said that Bates’ family lives very far from Youth Build and must take two connecting buses to get there.
Judge McLean said the only reason why she won’t detain Bates is because he has not reoffended. According to Judge McLean, it doesn’t seem like Bates is putting in effort, and she demanded better results, especially with his trial approaching.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 10.
