DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt and parties discovered that a homicide defendant diagnosed himself with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a hearing on April 9.
Spiro Stafilatos, 38, is charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault knowingly grave risk while armed, and fleeing law enforcement for his alleged involvement in a Dec. 30, 2022 hit-and-run incident. The accident occurred on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NW, and resulted in the death of 31-year-old Shuyu Sui and severe injury to another individual.
At the last hearing, the defense expressed their intent to call an expert in trial to testify about Stafilatos’ PTSD, a condition that can trigger frightening flashbacks.
Stafilatos’ attorney, Brian McDaniel, told Judge Brandt that he communicated with a few individuals over the weekend that had missing periods. McDaniel talked to the social worker, who he believed diagnosed Stafilatos with PTSD in 2021.
McDaniel said that the social worker told him that she did not diagnose Stafilatos with PTSD. She met with Stafilatos and asked him what he was going through, and he reported that he suffered from PTSD and other mental illnesses. Therefore at the end of their session, she wrote down PTSD in his report.
McDaniel suggested that Judge Brandt order another psychiatrist to examine Stafilatos before trial.
Prosecutors had no objection to a new psychiatrist, but requested that the person testify as an expert witness after Stafilatos’ testimony.
The prosecution argued PTSD cannot be relevant unless Stafilatos shares his testimony about what happened in the Montgomery County Jail that resulted in his alleged PTSD and caused him to “flee the traffic stop in 2022.”
“It’s Stafilatos’ story to share, not the psychiatrists,” prosecutors furthered their point.
Judge Brandt agreed and said that in order to have relevant testimony from the psychiatrist, Stafilatos would need to testify first. She also told McDaniel and Stafilatos that it is his choice whether to testify or not.
McDaniel said as of now, Stafilatos planned to testify.
Parties agreed for the psychiatrist to examine Stafilatos the following week. They also agreed to have their old expert witnesses be deemed as fact of witness testimony, instead of expert.
Parties are slated to reconvene for jury selection on April 27.
