Defense Plans to Contest Mental Competency Finding in Homicide Case

By Adriana Marroquin - October 27, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 27, defense attorneys for a homicide defendant alerted DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe they are planning to contest a mental competency finding submitted by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).

Julius Worthy, 39, is charged with one count of second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing and shooting of 36-year-old Orlando Galloway on April 2 on the 200 block of 14th Street, SE. An adult female victim was found in the apartment suffering from multiple stab wounds, but survived. 

According to Christen Romero Phillips, Worthy’s attorney, the defense disagrees with the DBH report that found Worthy mentally competent to stand trial. She requested the court grant the defense time to find their own expert to evaluate Worthy. Judge O’Keefe reminded Phillips that contesting a competency finding must be filed promptly. 

Phillips also requested Worthy be released from the DC Jail, stating that the Department of Corrections (DoC) had not granted Judge O’Keefe’s request for Worthy to be placed in the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF), a lower security environment, due to age and health issues. Phillips argued Worthy has family and community support, and would comply with any release conditions the court may impose. 

Prosecutors strongly opposed the request, stating that Worthy remains a danger to the community including the surviving victim. 

Judge O’Keefe denied the defense’s request for release, citing the circumstances of the case and the presumption that Worthy poses a danger to the community. 

Parties are expected back Jan. 5, 2024.