Defendant Accused of Stabbing Woman Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

By Aryana Zakeri [former] - May 21, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing |

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun accepted a homicide defendant’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in a May 21 hearing.

Eliyas Aregahedne, 29, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for stabbing 27-year-old Margery Magill while she was walking a dog on the 400 block of Irving Street, NW, on Aug. 27, 2019. 

A report from the Department of Behavioral Health from July 2023 found Aregahedne incompetent to stand trial and recommended a full evaluation and treatment for him. 

In October 2021, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo transferred Aregahedne to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for treatment. She also ordered a full competency examination.

During the May 21 hearing, Aregahedne waived his right to a trial and entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity plea. 

Judge Okun asked Aregahedne several questions ensuring he was aware of what could happen if he accepted the plea. 

Judge Okun pointed out that Aregahedne could potentially serve a longer sentence at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital than if he went to trial and was convicted and transferred to the Bureau of Prisons (BoP). Aregahedne said he understood. 

In the courtroom, the prosecution read off the evidence they would have presented in trial, including blood trailing to Aregahedne’s apartment, a bloody white T-shirt, and bloody sneakers.   

Afterward, Judge Okun opened the floor to the victim’s family to deliver impact statements. Magill’s father stated that his only concern was that, “We move ahead and get some closure”. 

Judge Okun accepted the plea and discussed scheduling a Bolten evaluation, a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s mental health, behavior, and emotional functioning.

Parties will reconvene on May 29.