A shooting defendant was found mentally competent to stand trial before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on March 17.
Natalie Bisher, 25, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for her alleged involvement in a shooting on the 300 block of Evarts Street, NE on Nov. 27, 2025. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen that required surgery.
According to a report filed on March 16 from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Bisher was mentally competent. To stand trial, a defendant must have sufficient mental competence to understand the charges against them and be able to help their attorney defend the case.
At the hearing, neither party had any objections to DBH’s findings and Judge Pipe certified the result.
According to the DBH report, during Bisher’s competency evaluation she expressed concerns about her then attorney, James Ryan. After a brief discussion, Judge Pipe appointed Michelle Lockard to represent Bisher moving forward.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 20.
