Judge Rules Defendant Incompetent to Stand Trial

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A DC Superior Court judge found a domestic violence defendant incompetent to stand trial.

The defendant is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor in a 2022 domestic violence case. 

A report from the Department of Behavioral Health found Payne incompetent to stand trial. 

During the Aug 4 hearing, Judge Lynn Leibovitz, in accordance with the report, found the defendant mentally incompetent to stand trial, with no objection from parties. 

Judge Leibovitz scheduled another evaluation for Aug. 17 and the next mental observation hearing for Sept 1.