DC Superior Court Andrea Hertzfeld ordered Saint Elizabeths Hospital to provide a psychiatric treatment plan for a stabbing defendant hoping to win release during a hearing on Sept. 23.
Devyn Cyphers, 27, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in the stabbing of her best friend at the 300 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, on July 31.
According to court documents, the incident stemmed from a verbal disagreement between the two and Cyphers allegedly stabbed her in the neck.
During the mental observation hearing, Cyphers’s attorney, Peter Odom revealed that Cyphers was too paranoid to see him when she was first charged. However, he says, Cyphers has since received responded to treatment at Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
Odom subsequently requested Cyphers be released to her parents, who live in Texas. Odom argued Cyphers lost her house and her job in the District, and if she’s sent back to the DC Jail she would relapse for lack of mental health treatment.
However, the prosecutor countered there was no solid release plan for Cyphers and that she was completely mentally stable lacking a specific diagnosis. Thus, in the prosecutor’s view, Cyphers release factors posed potential danger to the community.
Cyphers’ mother proposed a treatment facility near their home in Texas which the prosecution said was insufficient.
Odom proposed to go back to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for a discharge and treatment plan in Texas. However, the prosecution responded, stating that “to be clear, a discharge plan of recommendation is not a plan.”
Judge Hertzfeld determined that she would need to see hospital records before making a decision on the release.
After a short recess, Judge Hertzfeld the hearing be resumed on Sept. 25.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 25.
