A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park in a hearing on April 17.
Bobby Jordan also known as Hilman Ray Jordan, 52, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, for the fatal shooting of Jawaid Bhutto, 64, on March 1, 2019, on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE.
Jordan’s attorneys, Dana Page and Christen Philips, said they agreed with prosecutors that pleading NGRI to first-degree murder while armed with a firearm was the best course for Jordan’s case.
An insanity plea means the defendant was incapable of knowing right from wrong or behave in accordance with the law at the time of the crime. Further, to be mentally competent to stand trial, a defendant must understand the charges and be able to assist his attorney.
A defense expert completed an evaluation and a report finding Jordan insane, and an expert for prosecutors completed an evaluation and was finishing up their report, but their findings are consistent with the defense expert.
A representative for Bhutto’s family read aloud a statement to the court telling Judge Park that he should find this plea “troubling,” and that this was a “calculated cold blooded murder.” On behalf of the family, the representative strongly urged Judge Park to reject the insanity plea and to make Jordan stand trial.
Judge Park acknowledged the statement from the victim’s family, but found that both parties came to a conclusion on the plea.
Jordan was sworn under oath in court and he told Judge Park that he wished to plead NGRI, and that he waived his right to trial.
Prosecutors read aloud the stipulated facts that they would have presented had this case had gone to trial. They shared that the day of the incident, Jordan sat on his patio watching the parking lot until he saw his upstairs neighbor, Bhutto, pull into the lot. When Bhutto pulled into his spot, Jordan left his patio and went down to the parking lot to wait for Bhutto to exit his car. Bhutto exited his car and Jordan pulled out his firearm and shot at Bhutto once, missing. Bhutto ran towards the building where he was then shot multiple times and kicked to the ground by Jordan.
After leaving Bhutto on the ground, Jordan went back to his apartment and hid the gun that had Bhutto’s blood on it, and sat on his patio until authorities arrived and arrested him.
Judge Park told Jordan that if he were to proceed with his plea of NGRI, that he would be committed to Saint Elizabeths Hospital to receive treatment until he or another judge found him sane. Jordan could be at Saint Elizabeth’s for the rest of his life, or for a sentence longer than he might receive if convicted of the charges.
Jordan understood the terms and proceeded to plead NGRI to first-degree murder while armed with a firearm. The parties and court documents did not explain whether Jordan’s remaining two charges were included in the NGRI deal.
Prosecutors requested a mandatory mental health evaluation for Jordan because of his NGRI plea.
Parties are slated to reconvene on June 2.
