Judge Orders 2nd Full Competency Exam for Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 25, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a Sept. 24 mental observation hearing, a judge ordered a murder defendant to undergo a second full competency examination after not completing an earlier screening. 

Alisa Randall, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Ronald Jones in an apartment on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW. Randall was arrested on July 15, but it is unclear when Jones was stabbed in the chest.

According to a report by the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health, Randall had “prematurely ended” a full competency screening at the hospital. The report also said Randall refused to take medication. 

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe decided to commit the defendant to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital for 30 more days.

D.C. Witness previously reported that Randall was ordered to be held at St. Elizabeth’s after an August mental observation hearing.  

The prosecution stated that they will file a motion to allow doctors to administer involuntary medication for the defendant if the Department of Behavioral Health’s report does not determine if the defendant is competent to stand trial by the next hearing.  

Judge Iscoe scheduled a follow-up mental observation hearing on Oct. 21 to discuss the competency screening.

The Department of Behavioral Health is required to complete a report by Oct. 8. The defense must submit a motion to make the report public by Oct. 8 as well. The prosecution has until Oct. 18 to respond or oppose the defense’s motion. 

Randall is scheduled for a felony status conference in addition to the mental observation hearing on Oct. 21.