Judge Rules Murder Defendant Competent

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During a status hearing July 5, a DC Superior Court Judge ruled a murder defendant competent to stand trial.

John James is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting  Ernest Massenberg-Bey Jr. on the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE in 2015. An unnamed individual was also injured during the shooting. They were admitted to an area hospital in critical condition.

According to court documents, Massenberg-Bey, 21, identified James as the shooter before succumbing to his injuries. The unnamed individual also identified the defendant.

On July 5,  Judge Milton Lee found Massenberg-Bey competent after receiving a report from the Bureau of Legal Services that determined James was competent to stand trial. 

James is scheduled to go to trial on Nov. 13. He is also scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 28.