DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe deemed a stabbing defendant incompetent to stand trial for a second time during a mental observation hearing on July 15.
On Nov. 29, 2022, Allen Shorter, 58, was convicted and sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment, with 18 suspended, for assault with significant bodily injury and carrying a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Oct. 6, 2019, on a Metro bus between Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Blue Plains Drive, SW.
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) deemed Shorter incompetent to stand trial in a previous mental observation hearing on June 17. A new report dated July 9 from DBH reached the same conclusion.
Judge Iscoe ruled that it would be best if Shorter remained in inpatient hospitalization at St. Elizabeths Hospital for mental patients, and cited the resources he needed would “not be found in the community.” Neither the defense or prosecution challenged this ruling.
Judge Iscoe also questioned whether competence restoration could be determined explaining t a “decision could not be made today” because he did not have the DBJ report in front of him. He allowed Shorter 30 days in hospital to determine if he can be restored.
Defense attorney Quo Meiko Judkins also brought up an email from Shorter’s doctor about Shorter being released from in-patient treatment to out-patient treatment if Shorter could receive transportation to St. Elizabeths.
Shorter’s wife in the email also told the doctor she would ensure he would be attending all of his appointments if he was released and staying with her. However, Judge Iscoe stated that Shorter will remain in in-patient treatment until there was further confirmation that Shorter would honor the terms.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 14.
