Multiple defendants were unable to participate in their hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Oct. 23 due to overcrowding at the courthouse cellblock.
John IV Gear,21, Jayquan Johnson,20, Lee Johnson, 20, Marquis Alston, 20 are charged with counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, robbery while armed, robbery, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with their alleged involvement in an armed robbery and carjacking on the 1700 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW on April 16.
Judge Hertzfeld waived the appearance of Alston and Lee after US Marshalls told her that a courtroom’s cell block cannot hold more than four defendants at once, therefore, only Gear and Jayquan were present for their hearings.
Defense counsel for Jayquan, Kevann Gardner, and defense counsel for Gear, Alvin Thomas, expressed their interest to negotiate a resolution to the case. Additionally, the prosecution stated that he just received a motion to sever the individual cases and needs time to respond.
All parties are expected to reconvene on Oct. 27 to discuss the motion to sever.
