A carjacking defendant was placed on supervised release after prosecutors failed to file an indictment in time before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on Sept. 23.
Paquette Deshazier, 19, is charged with armed carjacking, armed robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a carjacking incident on the 2000 block of Benning Road, NE on May 13.
According to court documents, Deshazier allegedly stole the victims’ keys and wallet at gunpoint before driving away in the victim’s car.
Prosecutors in Deshazier’s case were previously given a 30 day indictment extension and were supposed to come to the Sept. 23 hearing with an indictment prepared.
The assigned prosecutor requested another extension. She told the Judge McLean that she had recently parachuted into the case after the original prosecutor dropped it for medical reasons and was not aware that she needed to have an indictment filed before the hearing.
Judge McLean rejected the notion that the prosecution did not have enough time or information to prepare an indictment. She noted that the court had already held Deshazier for 90 days and that adding another 30 would be excessive.
“It’s not like this deadline began last hearing,” Judge McLean said. She also noted that the onus was on the prosecutor to familiarize herself with the case and prepare accordingly. An extension was not granted.
Deshazier’s attorney, Joseph Fay, asked for the court to release Deshazier.
The prosecution objected to release, but Judge McLean granted the motion under the conditions of 24-hour home confinement and GPS monitoring. She set a $100 cash bond for Deshazier.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 16.
