DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman vacated several competency findings made by other DC Superior Court judges on Aug. 1.
Asmerom Ghebrekidan, 54, is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the death of 41-year-old Fitsum Mamo and the assault of another individual on May 25, 2023 on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE.
According to court documents, Ghebrekidan allegedly stabbed Mamo in the head and arm with a pickaxe and hit another individual with the handle of the pickaxe before witnesses were able to restrain him in an alleyway. Mamo succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The prosecution stated that the defendant was found competent on four separate occasions from various judges and by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) at Saint Elizabeths psychiatric hospital.
Determining Ghebrekidan’s competency has been a longstanding issue for the court.
Defense attorney Jason Tulley stated that a doctor who is in the process of evaluating Ghebrekidan believes the defendant could be deemed incompetent, however needs more time to determine his restorability.
Ultimately, Judge Edelman vacated previous judges competency findings as he would like to hear arguments from experts who evaluated Ghebrekidan.
Parties are slated to reconvene Dec. 12.
