Judge Orders Release to Less Restrictive Detention for Teens in Edward Coristine Carjacking Case

Washington D.C. – A D.C. Superior Court judge has ordered two teenagers accused in the attempted carjacking and assault of former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward Coristine to be moved to less restrictive detention. Judge Kendra D. Briggs, a Biden appointee, issued the ruling for the two 15-year-old Maryland residents, despite objections from the prosecution. The decision mandates electronic monitoring, a 24-hour curfew, and prohibits contact between the two youths.

The incident, which occurred on August 3rd in Northwest Washington, involved an attempted carjacking where Coristine, also known as "Big Balls," was attacked by a group of approximately 10 youths. Police arrested the two teenagers, a boy and a girl, shortly after the assault. Coristine, a software engineer described as a protégé of Elon Musk, sustained injuries in the attack, which garnered significant national attention.

Under the judge's order, the girl will be transferred to a youth shelter house, while the boy will return to his mother's care. Judge Briggs emphasized the strict conditions of their release, stating, "school and home, that’s it," and warned of immediate emergency hearings should any violations occur. Both teens are also forbidden from possessing weapons or entering vehicles without explicit permission.

The ruling follows a previous decision by Judge Briggs on August 11th, where she had denied similar requests for less restrictive detention, ordering the teens to remain in the Youth Services Center (YSC). Prosecutors had argued that the girl, who has a pending case in Maryland and a history of truancy, posed a flight risk and a danger to the community. Attorneys for both teens highlighted that this was their first contact with the D.C. juvenile justice system.

The case has been a focal point in broader discussions about crime in the nation's capital, particularly after President Donald Trump cited Coristine's assault as a catalyst for his administration's decision to federalize the D.C. police force and deploy the National Guard. The involvement of a Biden-appointed judge in the release has also drawn political commentary from various public figures and media outlets. Authorities continue to search for other individuals believed to be involved in the August 3rd carjacking attempt.