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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- September 20, 2017
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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The man charged with killing his father is continuing to undergo mental evaluations and a stay at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
Brandon Byrd, 20, allegedly stabbed his father Otis Byrd, 44, on Aug. 10, 2016.
Expert witnesses testified about Byrd’s competency, and treatments for schizophrenia. The defendant has been at St. Elizabeths hospital engaged in individual treatment programs. While there he has expressed aggression, and has refused medication.
“With Mr. Byrd, the illness isn’t stabilized,” said one expert witness. “Medication is the first line of defense for people with schizophrenia […] people with symptoms similar to Mr. Byrd respond well to medication.”
Byrd faces second-degree murder charges, and has been ruled incompetent to stand trial by Judge Lopez.