Defendant Found Mentally Competent, Judge Rules

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During a mental competency hearing on March 17, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found a defendant mentally competent to stand trial.

Karon Brown, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Cynthia Barringer, 31, on Oct. 31, 2021, on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE.

According to court documents, EMS personnel responded to the scene due to a fire in an apartment. 

Once the fire was extinguished, first responders found Barringer with no signs of life. An autopsy confirmed that Barringer died from a gunshot wound under her left eye, documents stated. 

The parties are scheduled to return March 31 for a status hearing.