A stabbing defendant told DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz he fired his attorneys and would like to represent himself on April 9.
Corey Bridges, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, threatening to kidnap or injure a person, assault with a dangerous weapon, and tampering with physical evidence. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal stabbing that occurred on the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE on June 7, 2025. The victim sustained multiple lacerations to the neck.
According to court documents, Bridges was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, unspecified schizophrenia spectrum, and another psychotic disorder. The assessment means that Bridges is delusional and subject to extreme mood swings.
However, in a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) evaluation performed on April 7, he reported having no auditory or visual hallucinations due to his medications.
Neither party received the DBH evaluation until the morning of the hearing. Bridges’ attorney, Molly Bunke, asked Judge Kravitz for more time to confer with Bridges’ doctor.
Judge Kravitz, who admitted he did not have much time to review the document, agreed to the extension. He noted based on what he read, Bridges was found to be “most likely [mentally] competent” but malingering. In other words, fabricating symptoms to mitigate a sentence.
Bridges said that his lawyers would not be coming back to discuss his competency because he told Judge Kravitz, “She’s fired your honor,” referring to Bunke. Bridges then requested to represent himself.
In response, Judge Kravitz said he must make a determination regarding Bridges’ competency before deciding whether Bridges could represent himself. In order to stand trial a defendant must have the mental ability to understand the charges against him and help his lawyer.
Bridges left the courtroom angry, repeating, “they’re fired,” referring to Bunke and his other attorney, Theodore Shaw.
Judge Karvitz assured him they would discuss his desire for self-representation when the parties reconvene on April 30.
