Judge Orders Psych Treatment for Sex Abuse Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 16, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Probation | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge ordered psychological treatment for a legally incompetent defendant who is nearing the end of his probation for a sexual abuse case. 

On July 17 of last year, Kevin Pierce was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, however the confinement time was suspended. Instead of being held behind bars, Pierce was put on probation for one year for assault with the intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse.

As part of his probation, Pierce was required to comply with mental health treatment and be housed at a community residential facility at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for as long as the treatment recommends. His probation was supervised by the behavioral health branch of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA). Pierce also had to register as a sex offender.

Judge Todd Edelman chose to commit Pierce to St. Elizabeth’s because of his inability to regain competence.

The defendant’s probation is slated to end on July 17.

During the June 16 hearing, the prosecution expressed concerns that Pierce would be a danger to himself and the community. Judge Edelman also expressed his own concerns because he did not want to leverage the defendant’s incompetence in order to hold him beyond the terms of his sentence. 

A notice of noncompliance was issued on Aug. 15. Pierce failed to appear for the probation show cause hearing that was subsequently scheduled for Aug.26. A bench warrant was issued, and he was found incompetent on Sept. 10, and again on Nov. 8. 

A report on an alleged violation was issued on July 26. Another hearing to assess Pierce’s probation is scheduled on Aug. 2.