A defense counsel requested time to hire an expert to evaluate a homicide defendant’s mental state based on a Department of Behavior Health (DBH) finding their client mentally competent. The analysis was reviewed by DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on Sept. 16.
Jaykell Mason, 25, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Terence Dantzler that occurred on Feb. 13, 2020 on the 700 block of 8th Street, NW, in Chinatown.
Mason was initially found competent to stand trial after multiple evaluations in 2021. In order to stand trial a defendant must understand the charges and be prepared to help his lawyer.
During the mental observation hearing, the prosecution alerted the court that a DBH doctor’s findings showed that the defendant did not meet the criteria for an insanity defense, meaning he didn’t know right from wrong in the moment nor control his behavior. However, defense attorneys Dana Page and Madhuri Swarna want to hire their own expert based on the notion that Mason was insane when committed the crime.
Judge Park granted the request with a four-month deadline.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 30, 2026.
