Defendant Found Competent to Stand Trial in Non-Fatal Shooting

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On Sep. 12 during a mental observation and motions hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found the defendant in a non-fatal shooting mentally competent to stand trial.

Dominic Copeland, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, robbery while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left one individual injured.

According to court documents, on April 26, 2019, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to a report of a shooting on the 1200 block of 1st Street, NW, where they observed the victim inside a dark gray Toyota Camry with shattered windows crashed into a tree on the sidewalk.

During the hearing on Sep. 12 Judge Raffinan agreed with the DC Department of Behavioral Health’s Aug. 22 assessment Copeland was competent to stand trial.

Judge Raffinan is expected to rule on three pending motions in the case and proceed with jury selection on Sept. 13.