Defense Contests Competency Finding For Stabbing Suspect

By Maggie Rhoads [former] - August 13, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

A stabbing defendant’s attorneys asked DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt for time to consult with another doctor regarding the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) mental competency exam results for their client on Aug. 12

Stephen Herring, 24, is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on July 22, 2023, on the 100 block of M Street, NE. One individual sustained life-threatening injuries. 

Herring’s mental competency exam from DBH found him mentally competent to stand trial. 

Herring’s defense attorneys, Joseph Yarbough and Hannah Claudio, chose not to respond to the exam results until they receive another medical opinion. 

Meanwhile, the prosecution agreed Herring is mentally competent. They requested he be returned to the DC Jail from the hospital. 

Judge Brandt refused to move Herring. She left that decision to DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo, since she was acting as a temporary stand-in.

According to court documents, Herring allegedly stabbed a victim in the chest. When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim unresponsive. Witnesses said Herring stabbed the victim after getting into a verbal argument. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 3.