Homicide Case Set for Continuance Following Newly Appointed Counsel

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A DC Superior Court judge ordered a continuance for a hearing set to determine the competency of a homicide defendant.

On Feb. 13, 2020, Terence Dantzler suffered multiple gunshots to the head on the 700 block of 8 Street, NW. Jaykell Mason was charged with first-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed following the incident.

During the Jan. 25 hearing, Mason, 21 was scheduled to receive the results of his second competency screening. However, because an employee from the Department of Behavioral Health was preoccupied in a previous hearing and Mason’s newly appointed counsel needed additional time to review documents, the court ordered a continuance. 

According to court documents, multiple witnesses allegedly saw Mason shoot Danzler, 29. Reports indicate that Mason engaged in gunfire with officers before he was shot in the hand and detained by police. Mason tested positive for opiates in his system, and a Remington R51 was retrieved from the scene.

The hearing is scheduled to continue on Feb. 26.