DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel accepted a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) request to give to stabbing defendant more mental health guidance on Oct. 28.
Ellen Williams, 59, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and threat to kidnap or injure a person for allegedly assaulting her sister with a knife on Sept. 28 on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.
At the hearing, defense counsel for Williams, Claudine Harrison, informed Judge Israel that she is working on a plea deal in mental health court and requested more time. DC Superior Court Mental Health Community Court (MHCC) is a specialized unit focused on criminal defendants diagnosed with mental illnesses.
According to MHCC guidelines, if a defendant successfully completes the ordered treatment within the plea agreement, the prosecution can reduce or drop charges against them.
Judge Israel stated she received a request from PSA for Williams to get mental health services and ordered Williams to comply with treatment.
As Harrison and Judge Israel were discussing mental health treatment, Williams mumbled a series of statements, at the end stating “I don’t trust nobody”.
The parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 19.
