Another Hearing Date Set for Sex Abuse Defendant

By Larissa Atkins [former] - November 8, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continued a Nov. 5 hearing for a sex abuse case so an independant expert retained by the prosecution could have more time to go over relevant documents.

The defendant is charged with first-degree sex abuse while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping while armed for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman who was walking to a bus in 2012.

Last February, he was found competent to stand trial based on a report by the Department of Behavioral Health, according to court documents. The defense contested those findings, however, and retained an independant expert, who opined that the defendant is not competent.

The prosecution then motioned to have their own expert, a forensic psychologist, examine the defendant. Judge Danya Dayson allowed the expert to do so for the sake of determine the defendant’s competence to stand trial.

The prosecution asked Judge Dayson to continue the Nov. 5 hearing so their expert has time to go over recently obtained documents.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain asked Judge Dayson to move his client from DC Jail to St. Elizabeths Hospital in hopes he could get better mental health treatment there. According to Ain, the treatment at the jail is not adequate for the defendant’s needs. Judge Dayson said she will make her decision at the next hearing.

Judge Dayson scheduled the next hearing for Dec. 7.