A carjacking defendant refused transport to the courthouse for the ninth time, missing his mental observation hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on July 9.
Rasheed Jenkins, 27, is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident on the 5700 block of Eads Street, NE on Jan. 31 2022.
Jenkins is currently incarcerated at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients. Including his most recent hearing, he has refused to come to court nine times in his case, according to court records.
At the hearing, without Jenkins’ present, Judge Di Toro discussed a recent doctor’s evaluation from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) that reported Jenkins was mentally competent to stand trial. Jenkins must understand the charges against him and be able to assist in his defense to stand trial.
According to the prosecutors, the clinical psychologist determined competency by reviewing phone calls Jenkins made from the jail. The judge asked the parties if they objected to this finding.
Jenkins’ attorney, Varsha Govindaraju, stated that she could not speak to the evaluation without first conferring with her client and reviewing the reports herself. She requested a continuance to learn more about the report in addition to a possible global plea deal for Jenkins that would resolve his multiple cases.
Parties are expected to reconvene for a continued mental observation hearing on Aug. 13.
