Defense Will No Longer Contest Medical Order

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During a status hearing Nov. 15, a defense attorney indicated that he would not contest a judge’s order to give his client medication against his will.

Brandon Byrd is charged with first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing his 44-year-old father, Otis Byrd, on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue, NW in 2016.

D.C. Witness previously reported that medical experts had testified that Byrd is incompetent to stand trial, but if he received medication, which he had so far refused to take, then his competency would likely be restored.

Defense attorney Craig Hickein said that the court could not medicate Byrd against his will.

DC Superior Court Judge Ronna Lee Beck ordered that Byrd be medicated in order to restore his competency to stand trial. During the hearing, Hickein indicated that he would not seek to dispute the order.

Judge Beck asked Byrd to cooperate with medical staff, saying she hoped that his competency would be restored.

Byrd is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on March 6, 2020.

This article was written by Paul Mullholland.