Defendant Decides to Keep Lawyer

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 24, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A defendant withdrew his request to represent himself at trial after going back and forth on the matter several times during a hearing on June 23.

The defendant is charged with armed kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse while armed with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon.

He told a judge that he wanted to represent himself at the start of the hearing. However, such a request would require the defendants to undergo a competency evaluation. He has not had a competency evaluation.

The defendant did not identify himself when DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson asked him to do so, which raised concerns about his mental state.

Defense attorney Andrew Ains said that his client appeared sluggish during the morning, and he wasn’t presenting himself the way he usually does. However, Judge Dayson, who had the defendant in her court before, said “it’s not typical, but it’s not the first time it’s happened.”

The defendant said he believed his lawyer does not want to help him.

After a private conversation, it was announced that the defendant withdrew his request to represent himself. But the defendant reinstated his motion to represent himself shortly after.

A short time later, the defendant decided that he did not want to represent himself, instead asking for a different lawyer.

After that, he changed his mind one more time, saying he wanted to keep Ains, which he called his final decision.

A mental observation hearing is scheduled for July 13.