Homicide Case Awaits Competency Evaluations

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 12, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled another status hearing to allow time for a homicide defendant to undergo competency evaluations.

Matthew Walker is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 32-year-old David Remen. On Feb. 14, 2019, 22-year-old Walker allegedly shot into an establishment located on the 1700 block of Hamlin Street, NE. Remen and another victim were shot multiple times. The other victim survived, but Remen succumbed to his injuries.

During the April 12 proceedings, the prosecution requested that all of Walker’s felony cases be put on the same schedule. They also requested that the pending competency assessments be applied to all of his pending cases.

The prosecution said both parties are retaining independent evaluations and the status of the competency proceedings are pending independent experts’ availability. 

The prosecution noted that there were reports that Walker had sustained a brain injury, so neurological tests to determine competency have to be completed but cannot be done over video.

The prosecution asked Judge Neal Kravitz to set a hearing for a few months out to allow time for parties to get records and for the competency evaluations to be completed.

Judge Kravitz scheduled a felony status conference for July 12, and another for Sept. 7. He also said that he could put in an order to have all of Walker’s pending cases be scheduled together to make proceedings easier.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 12.