Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.
By
Joseph Wolf
- November 14, 2024
Daily Stories
|
Shooting
|
Suspects
|
DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld severed a carjacking co-defendant’s matter on Nov. 14.
Maurice Edwards is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place at the intersection of 48th Place and Lee Street, NE on March 11.
Azusa Beatty is his co-defendant and is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her alleged involvement.
According to court documents, Edwards and his girlfriend, Beatty, ran a stop sign while driving and struck the victim’s car while he was inside. They approached the victim’s car yelling at him and Edwards brandished a firearm at the victim. Beatty got into the car and drove off, while the victim was holding onto the side of it, but ultimately fell off.
During the hearing, Judge Hertzfeld announced that she would grant Edwards’ defense counsel, Raymond Jones, motion to sever the two defendants, meaning they will have separate trials instead of being tried simultaneously. Consequently, the same motion filed by John Harvey III, Beatty’s attorney, was ruled moot.
In his motion, Edwards argued that he and Beatty were unaware of whether either one would testify in the matter on their own behalf, and if either party did, the evidence would be considered exculpatory. Furthermore, Edwards would be unable to call Beatty to the stand.
The prosecution objected to the motion, arguing it was filed late, the cases were properly joined together, and the evidence against both parties was strong. Additionally, he argued that the defendants had not explained what evidence would be exculpatory and that the willingness of both parties to testify could change.
Judge Hertzfeld ruled in favor of the defense, thus the motion to sever was granted. Therefore, they will proceed with Beatty’s case first, and then begin the prosecution’s case against Edwards.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 18.