At the request of the defense, DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ordered a full mental competency evaluation for a homicide defendant on Aug. 25.
Hakeem Jones, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Jamillah Gales on April 21 on the 600 block of Kenyon Street, NW. Gales suffered from two gunshot wounds to her back.
According to court records, Gales had a two-year-old son that she left at a friend’s house prior to her death.
At the hearing, parties discussed an Aug. 14 report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) that found Jones mentally competent to stand trial. Jones must understand the charges against him and be able to assist in his defense.
The prosecutor had no objections to the report. However, Jones’ attorney, Hannah Claudio, contested the findings and asked Judge Kravitz to order a full competency evaluation at Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
According to Claudio, the report was based on a 30 minute video visit and a narrow subset of Jones’ records. To determine his mental competency, Claudio asserted that more observations were necessary.
Claudio added that Jones was in solitary confinement at the DC Jail and asserted his competency was deteriorating as a result.
The prosecution had no position on Claudio’s request.
Judge Kravitz ordered Jones undergo a full mental competency evaluation at Saint Elizabeths Hospital. The parties are scheduled to reconvene for a mental observation hearing on Sept. 25.
Claudio said the defense wanted to proceed with Jones’ preliminary hearing before the competency issue is resolved, which parties scheduled for Sept. 15.
