In a controversial decision, Judge Kendra D. Biggs, appointed by President Joe Biden, has ordered the release of two Maryland teenagers charged with the attempted carjacking and assault of a former Department of Energy staffer.
The 15-year-old boy and girl, previously held at DC's Youth Services Center, have been relocated to a youth shelter and the boy's mother's custody, respectively. This move has sparked debate, particularly among prosecutors who opposed the judge's decision.
According to The Post Millennial, the teens are now subject to a 24-hour curfew, with allowances for school attendance, and will be monitored electronically. Judge Biggs emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The fact that this court is stepping you down from Youth Services Center is a serious step."
The teens, charged with the attempted carjacking and assault of software engineer Edward Coristine, face strict conditions, including a prohibition on contact with each other. Any breach of these terms will trigger an emergency hearing.
The Washington Post reported that both juveniles' parents were present during the hearing, with assurances given regarding their school enrollment.
However, Judge Biggs noted the girl's "major truancy issues" and past absences from home, while the boy was released to his mother to facilitate school attendance.
Defense attorneys for the teens argued for leniency, highlighting their clients' lack of prior involvement with the juvenile justice system. The girl's lawyer expressed optimism, stating she now has "an opportunity to demonstrate her ability to comply in a new setting."
Similarly, the boy's attorney praised his client's behavior at the Youth Services Center, noting, "Despite what hes dealing with... his compliance and behavior at the Youth Services Center has been perfect to my knowledge."
Both teens will undergo drug testing and are mandated to attend school. Alarmingly, since 2023, juveniles have been responsible for 56% of carjackings in Washington, D.C., with some offenders as young as 12.
In response to rising crime rates, President Trump has taken decisive action by federalizing the District of Columbia. Following the assault on Coristine, he assumed control of the Metro Police Department and deployed federal law enforcement officers throughout the city. National Guard troops have also been stationed to patrol the area.
This intervention comes on the heels of a tragic incident earlier this summer when a congressional intern was fatally shot near a Metro subway stop. Since President Trump's intervention, the District experienced a homicide-free week for the first time since March, a significant achievement given the record-high murder rates in the nation's capital since 2019.
U.S. Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro has been vocal in her criticism of the lenient approach towards juvenile offenders in the District. She argued, "A family court rehabilitation program of yoga and ice cream socials for hardened repeat offenders just doesnt cut it." Her remarks underscore the broader debate on how best to address juvenile crime in the city, as stakeholders grapple with balancing rehabilitation and accountability.
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