Homicide Defendant Faces in Court Ambush, Mental Evaluations Ordered

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A homicide defendant was nearly ambushed in court by an unidentified individual as DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ordered a mental competency evaluation on Nov. 4.

Wyatt Swan, 48, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 53-year-old Teresa Francisco on Oct. 1 on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.

According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Swan and Francisco were in a romantic relationship.

During what was supposed to be a preliminary hearing, Todd Baldwin, Swan’s attorney, requested to delay the preliminary hearing in order to get mental evaluations for Swan’s current and prior mental health diagnoses.

Baldwin specified he is not seeking to evaluate his competency to stand trial. Judge O’Keefe granted the request.

Following Baldwin’s request, an unidentified man charged at Swan from the audience. US Marshals were able to stop the him and remove the would-be attacker from the courtroom.

Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 8.