Counsel Questions Witness’s Mental Health

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 22, 2018
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

Counsel and a Superior Court judge addressed Aug. 22 the competency of a witness in a murder case. The witness’s mental health issues could be a reason to cancel the defendants’ upcoming trial.  

Turell Campbell, 24, and 25-year-old twin brothers Marquete and Marquese Murray are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Isiah Agyekum on the 100 block of Darrington Street, SW in 2015.

Their trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 15.

During a trial readiness hearing on Aug. 22, the prosecution informed Judge Craig Iscoe that an “essential” witness was hospitalized on Aug. 2 because of mental health problems.

Counsel said the witness shouldn’t be allowed to testify if incompetent. 

However, if the witness is deemed incompetent, the prosecution said they would likely not be ready to proceed to trial.

Matthew Davies, Kevin Mosley and Brandi Harden, the defendants’ defense attorneys, said the witness’s statements from the night of the murder should also be reconsidered if that witness is found incompetent. The witness apparently provided police with information about 25-year-old Agyekum’s murder.

Judge Iscoe ruled that a competency hearing should be held before a jury is selected. As of Aug. 22, a date for the competency hearing has not been scheduled. 

A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6.