DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld told a carjacking defendant to review all of the evidence in his case before officially rejecting a plea offer on Feb. 24.
Dartanian Owens, 21, is charged with armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and three counts of armed robbery for his alleged involvement in an armed carjacking on the 4300 block of Polk Street, NE on April 6, 2025.
The additional charges stem from Owens’ alleged involvement in three armed robberies on April 7, 2025 on the 2700 block of Naylor Road, SE, the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, and the 3800 block of South Capitol Street, SE.
The prosecution previously extended an offer to Owens that would require him to plead guilty to unarmed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, and robbery. In exchange, prosecutors would not seek an indictment and dismiss any greater or remaining charges against Owens.
As part of the agreement, the prosecution stated that the sentences for carjacking and the possession charge would be served concurrently. The sentences for robbery and carrying a pistol would also be served concurrently.
Owens stated he wanted to reject the plea offer. Judge Hertzfeld explained that rejecting the plea offer would mean Owen would serve a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years if he were convicted during trial as opposed to seven years if he accepted the plea offer.
Before Owens made a final decision regarding the plea offer, his attorney, Albert Amissah, stated they hadn’t received all the evidence in the case even though the prosecution denied it. However, Judge Hertzfeld determined that Owens had not yet seen some of the video evidence in his case.
As a result, Judge Hertzfeld did not permit Owens to formally reject the plea offer, stating that, because he had not seen the video evidence, he was unable to make an informed decision.
Judge Hertzfeld scheduled a follow-up hearing so the defendant could review the video evidence before making a final decision.. The prosecution stated the plea offer would remain open until the next hearing.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 10.
