Judge Orders Full Competency Examination for Murder Defendant

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A DC Superior Court judge ordered a full exam to determine if a murder defendant is competent to stand trial.

Jean Kearney, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the shooting of 33-year-old Dontra Harris on the 1800 block of 24th Street, NE, on April 4. 

Earlier this month, a judge ordered a preliminary competency screening to be done from DC Jail. However, the doctor who performed the exam could not come to a conclusion about Kearney’s competency.

During the June 28 hearing, defense attorney Michael Madden asked that the exam be done at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital, rather than the jail. 

Judge Neal Kravitz agreed to the request.

Judge Kravitz scheduled a mental observation hearing for July 29. He also scheduled a preliminary hearing to determine if the case has enough evidence to go to trial for Aug. 13.