A jury trial involving a homicide among other shootings that occurred at a DC metro station was delayed before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Dec. 1. The issue is whether the defendant is mentally competent to understand the proceedings, or if not coul his competency be restored.
Isaiah Trotman, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, 27 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, 13 counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and 13 counts of kidnapping while armed.
The prosecution says he’s allegedly involvement in a mass shooting at the Potomac Avenue Metro Station, located on the 1400 block of Potomac Avenue, SE, on Feb. 1, 2023. The shooting fatally injured 64-year-old Robert Cunningham, and left three others with life-threatening injuries.
A jury trial, which was slated to begin on Jan. 12, was delayed after Judge Ryan informed the court that doctors from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) requested forty-five to sixty more days to complete their mental examination of Trotman.
DBH doctors said they had already evaluated Trotman several times, but needed to test him again for accuracy.
Judge Ryan inquired when the parries would be able to start trial given the DBH’s request for more time.
The prosecution stated, “There is absolutely no way we can be ready in January.”
The prosecution explained that they need to receive all the evidence they are entitled to in order to begin trial, including the report from DBH and the defense.
Ashley Prather, who was the stand-in defense attorney for Joseph Yarbough, stated, “the prosecution already has a good amount of evidence.”
The prosecution argued, “Yes, we have some evidence, but we don’t have all the evidence.”
Judge Ryan suggested starting the trial in March of 2026, but the prosecution argued, “Considering it has now taken DBH nine months to complete an examination, the prosecution would need about the same time to go through all the materials.”
Judge Ryan replied, “the fact that it took DBH nine months does not strike me as a reasonable argument for why the prosecution can’t be ready for trial.”
Ultimately, a new trial date was not confirmed.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Feb. 6, 2026 to discuss the report from DBH and set a new trial date.
