Child Sex Abuse Defendant’s Competency to Stand Trial Remains in Question

By Alisha Budhwani [former] - April 22, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Suspects | Victims |

The competency of a child sex abuse defendant to stand trial remains in question after a Department of Behavioral Health doctor was unable to form an opinion based on his most recent psychological evaluation.

The defendant is charged with six counts of first-degree child sex abuse of a victim less than 12 years old. He was initially charged in April 2018 and found incompetent to stand trial the following August. In May 2020, he was released from St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington’s psychiatric institution, into the High Intensity Supervision Program for outpatient treatment. The following October, the defendant was charged with armed kidnapping and detained at DC Jail.

During his most recent hearing on April 21, the defendant was arraigned on charges of armed burglary, armed kidnapping, armed robbery and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in his more recent case.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt read the report by the doctor who was unable to form an opinion on the defendant’s competency. The doctor recommended the defendant be readmitted to St. Elizabeths for treatment of his competency issues and depression symptoms. 

Defense attorneys Heather Pinkney, Bernadette Armand and Laura Rose asked for a 60 to 80 day timeframe for their client to be evaluated by a member of the DBH as well as an expert from the prosecution.

Judge Brandt was hesitant to delay this case any further. “Start advance planning,” she told the parties. “It is time to give [the defendant] the administration of justice he deserves. Sometimes we forget that there’s a person stuck in the tug of war,” she said.

Judge Brandt addressed the defendant towards the end of the hearing. “I was moved by your candor in the DBH in respect to the attorney/client relationship you have made with Ms. Pinkney,” she said. Pinkney indicated that she will remain on this case until the very end. 

“You feel like you are abandoned; you are far from abandoned. I want you to know you are not alone. Pick up the phone and call your lawyers because I know they will talk to you whenever you need,” Judge Brandt told the defendant. She reassured him she was going to try to get the case moving at a faster pace. 

Experts from both parties will record the evaluation. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on June 13 to discuss the findings.