Defense Requests Forensic Exam for Murder Defendant

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On Jan. 19, a defense attorney in a murder case requested a forensic psych exam for her client.

Darnell Rackett is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Antonio Gardiner on July 4, 2020, on the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

A 14-year-old juvenile male is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in Gardiner’s death.

Both defendants are being held.


DC Superior Court Judge John Campbell scheduled Rackett for another status hearing on Feb. 18. The forensic screening is set to occur later this month.