During a hearing on Jan. 29, DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park granted the prosecution’s motion to conduct a mental health evaluation on the defendant. A defendant must be mentally competent enough to understand the charges he faces and be able to help his attorney before he can stand trial.
Christopher Patrick Haynes, 33, is charged first-degree premeditated murder while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license, and escaping from an officer for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Brent Hayward, 33, on Aug. 12, 2023, on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. A second individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Prosecutors requested another mental health evaluation of Haynes be performed by a doctor of their choice, in order to compare it to the defense expert’s report. Defense attorney Nikki Lotze requested that the prosecution’s doctor not ask questions about the charges against Haynes. She also requested she be present during the evaluation.
Prosecutors also requested to limit the defense’s expert witness from testifying about Haynes’ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a factor of self-defense.
Judge Park ordered that the expert witness may testify to PTSD’s involvement on Haynes’ perception of the incident, subjective evidence, but not the direct facts of the event or objective evidence.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene Feb. 3.
