Attorneys in a 2016 Murder Case Will File to Dismiss Based on Lack of Prosecution

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DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz ordered a 2016 homicide defendant be released from St. Elizabeths hospital during a hearing on May 2, and his attorney says the case should be dismissed.

Brandon Byrd, 29, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside his home or business, for his alleged involvement in the stabbing death of his father, Otis Byrd, 44, on Aug. 10, 2016, on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NW.

Byrd has been detained at St. Elizabeths since September of 2016, since he’s consistently found mentallly incompetency to stand trial.

Byrd’s attorney, Craig Hickein, told DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz that Byrd is forced to appear in court “every year for the last five years” and all they do is set a new date.

Hickein discussed his intention to file a written motion to dismiss the case. Judge Kravitz ruled that the defense has until July 2 to file it.

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 3.