Client Acquitted of Armed Carjacking and Related Counts

Houlon Berman’s client, charged with armed carjacking, first degree assault, robbery with a deadly weapon, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and conspiracy to commit armed carjacking, was found not guilty of all charges on July 22, 2010 after a jury trial lasting three days. Approximately eight weeks after the victim was carjacked, the defendant was arrested based on a photo identification. At trial, the victim testified that she was 110% positive that the Houlon Berman client was the same guy that had carjacked her. In cross-examination, inconsistencies were demonstrated in her prior descriptions. During closing, counsel argued that proof beyond a reasonable doubt required proof of an accurate identification rather than a certain one. In the end, the verdict fully exonerated Houlon Berman’s client.