On Oct. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Raffinan ordered a criminal responsibility exam for a stabbing defendant regarding a possible insanity defense.
Sherman Holley, 46, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, arson, destruction of property of $1000 or or more, resisting arrest and assault on a police officer, all offenses committed during release, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 53-year-old James Brooks. The incident occurred on Jan. 15, 2023 on the 200 block of 37th Street, SE.
Defense attorney, Megan Allburn, alerted the court she wants a criminal responsibility exam to determine if Holley understood his actions and whether they were morally acceptable as relates to the charge of arson, but she is also looking to sever the arson charge from the homicide count.
Court is set to reconvene Dec. 17.
