Juvenile Defendant’s Release Denied Due to ‘Two Very Serious Crimes’

By Adriana Marroquin - January 30, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Juveniles | Shooting |

On Jan. 29, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied a juvenile’s request for release as he awaits further proceedings due to his previously being sentenced for “two very serious crimes”. 

The juvenile, a 15-year-old boy, is charged with armed carjacking, assault with intent to commit robbery, robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon, for his alleged involvement in a carjacking and non-fatal shooting incident on Jan. 12. 

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, a male victim was sitting inside a vehicle on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE, when three suspects approached, assaulted, and robbed him at gunpoint. Two of the suspects took the victim’s vehicle.

Shortly after, one of the two suspects in the vehicle exchanged gunfire with an unknown person on the 3300 block of Benning Road, NE, before being struck by gunfire. 

During the hearing, prosecutors alerted the judge that they had just been assigned the case and would be requesting additional time to review all evidence before making a decision about extending a plea offer. However, the attorney for the juvenile requested a trial date for the matter. 

In addition, the defense attorney requested the juvenile be released pending trial, arguing that he’s currently held in a medium security level at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and is working with personnel to maintain that status. 

Prosecutors objected to his release, stating that the juvenile is serving sentences at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) for two cases, which were not discussed in court. 

A trial date was set for Feb. 12. 

Parties are slated to return Feb. 8 for a trial readiness hearing.