DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered a new mental competency evaluation on Nov. 13 for a defendant after defense counsel revealed he had medical issues that evaluators did not use to complete the previous evaluation.
Kevin Andrade,34, is charged with six counts of assault with intent to kill for allegedly stabbing six people with a knife on April 3, 2025 on the 1700 block of Montello Avenue, NE.
Defense attorney for Andrade, Steven Kiersch, disagreed with the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) finding that Andrade was mentally competent and requested an independent competency assessment with an independent expert.
Kiersch revealed that he has two binders that are “substantial in size” of Andrade’s medical records that DBH evaluators did not have when they conducted Andrade’s initial competency evaluation.
Judge Brandt asked Kiersch to send those medical records to the prosecution and DBH, to which he agreed. Additionally, Judge Brandt ordered DBH to complete another evaluation that takes into account the medical records the defense will send.
To stand trial, a defendant must comprehend the charges and help his lawyer defend the case.
The parties are expected to reconvene on Jan. 16, 2026.
