DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz decided to wait for another evaluation to make a final determination of mental competence for a stabbing defendant on Oct. 3.
Lester Pendarvis, 26, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on the 1400 block of Montana Avenue, NE, on Aug. 12. Two individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
According to court records, Pendarvis was sent to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for a full competency evaluation. A Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report found him competent and recommended he be sent back to the DC Jail pending trial.
Defense attorney Madelyn Harvey disagreed with the report, saying that she still has concerns about Pendarvis’ mental state. She said he was not doing well at the DC Jail.
“His state was appalling,” Harvey told Judge Kravitz, as she appeared for the hearing remotely.
She requested that Pendarvis stay in Saint Elizabeths so a defense expert can independently evaluate him. Judge Kravitz granted Harvey’s request to wait until that evaluation to decide whether Pendarvis is competent and fit to be placed back in the DC Jail.
To stand trial, a defendant must be mentally competent enough to understand his charges and help his lawyer defend the case.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 24.
