Judge Grants A Continuance to A Defendant in Drug Treatment

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 24, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides |

After several stays at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, a man was finally found competent to stand trial in March of 2019. 

Amadu Fomah was convicted of three counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct and threat to kidnap or injure a person. 

Fomah was released on probation in November of 2019 but did not stay in compliance with his probation requirements.

Fomah did not appear in court on June 23 for his probation show cause hearing.

His defense attorney, Nate Mensah, asked the judge to continue the hearing until July 27 as Fomah is currently enrolled in a 28-day drug treatment program and is unable to leave due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann said she found it very convenient that Fomah enrolled in drug treatment program on the same day of his hearing.

It “seems like he could’ve come to court before he did that,” she said.

Fomah’s probation officer said the defendant is in need of residential treatment. The officer also mentioned that Fomah does not want treatment and is not admitting to using drugs, so it is unlikely that the current treatment will work.

According to the officer, Fomah already completed a 28-day drug treatment program in February, and that he went back to using drugs shortly after completing the program.

The prosecution testified against the bench warrant in this case, saying Fomah’s need for treatment and his program would be longer than the jail time he would receive if arrested. 

Judge Herrmann granted a continuance until July 6 when she thinks it will be clear if Fomah is serious about getting treatment for his drug abuse issues.