Attorney Requests Competency Exam For Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 14, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request for a competency exam in a murder case.

Reginald Turner, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a firearm for his alleged role in the shooting of 37-year-old Malik Muhammed on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE on Nov. 26, 2018. Muhammed died from his injuries on Dec. 1, 2018. Turner also has an assault with intent to kill charge in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Turner’s defense attorney, James King, requested that the defendant undergo a 24-hour competency exam, with a specific focus on Turner’s ability to assist in his own defense.

A status hearing is scheduled on Nov. 20 to discuss the results of the exam.

Turner is being offered a global plea for charges he has in DC and Maryland. A global plea would require Turner to first serve his sentence in Maryland and then serve his sentence in Washington, DC.

Counsel said that if Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Maryland, prosecutors in DC would offer him a deal for voluntary manslaughter while armed.

According to the terms of the plea agreement, Turner could serve three to eight years in prison for his charges in Maryland and 10.5-18 years in prison for his charges in Washington, DC.

Paul Mulholland wrote this story.