Prosecution Voices Concerns After Judge Grants Insanity Evaluation

By Grace Raines [former] , Kennedy Sarvis [former], Natalie Tarby [former] - August 25, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

At defense attorney Roderick Thompson’s request, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, granted permission for a new insanity evaluation. 

Seth Andrews, 35, was initially charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, 67-year-old Hazel Evans, on the unit block of 35th Street, SE on July 16, 2020.

The prosecution voiced concerns of putting the trial in jeopardy with this notion of an insanity evaluation. Judge Raffinan scheduled the deadline of the evaluation for Nov. 4. Andrews’ trial is scheduled for March 6, 2023.

During the Aug. 25 hearing, Thompson said there was an issue with the prosecution’s DNA testing and that the defense would be conducting their own testing which should be back by the first week of November.

D.C. Witness previously reported that an autopsy revealed that the victim’s injuries were consistent with strangulation. 

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution played a portion of the 911 call the defendant made on the day of the homicide.

“It’s my fault mommy, I’m sorry I didn’t want to kill you mommy, I’m sorry,” the defendant said during the call. 

They also played a video clip of Andrews waiting in the police station. “I killed my mother,” he is heard saying. “I’m going to hell.” 

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case testified that blood found at the crime scene was likely a match for Andrews’ DNA. The detective said this blood may have come from a large cut Andrews had on his wrist from one of two separate assaults he had been accused of committing the day before the murder.

The assault cases have been dismissed. 

Judge Raffinan scheduled the next hearing for Sept. 15 to discuss new issues.  Counsel should submit motions and expert notices by Jan. 6, 2023.