DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe found a stabbing defendant mentally incompetent during a hearing on April 8. The defendant’s wife and his attorney hope a full evaluation will lead to an effective treatment plan since he is struggling on probation.
On Aug. 19, 2022, Allen Raymond Shorter, 58, pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury and carrying a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing that occurred on Oct. 6, 2019, aboard a bus near Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Blue Plaines Drive, SW. One victim suffered several injuries to his face, shoulders, and chest.
Shorter was sentenced to 36 months of incarceration, with all but 18 suspended, and five years of probation.
According to court documents, witnesses said Shorter boarded the bus and appeared to be highly intoxicated. He then engaged in a verbal altercation with one of the witnesses–then another passenger, the victim, intervened and threw juice on the defendant in an attempt to stop the argument. Once the dispute abated and the bus stopped, the defendant stabbed the victim and threatened one of the witnesses, before exiting the vehicle.
As a result of the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) report preliminary screening, Judge Iscoe declared Shorter incompetent and ordered a full competency evaluation.
Quo Mieko Judkins, Shorter’s defense attorney, stated that she thinks a full report will provide appropriate recommendations for Shorter since he has great difficulty remembering things.
Shorter’s wife made an emotional plea to Judge Iscoe to help her support Shorter, as this was not the man she married, and since he got out of jail he is a changed man. She also noted Shorter had been given psychiatric medication, which they then discovered he didn’t need.
Judge Iscoe recommended continued treatment but said hospitalization was not required. Shorter will continue monthly drug testing and remain released.
Parties are slated to reconvene on May 15 for an updated mental observation hearing.
