A stabbing defendant was removed from court after an outburst during a mental observation hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Aug. 4.
Jacqueline Grace, 47, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly threatening and injuring an unhoused woman on the 900 block of G Street, NW outside the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on July 25.
According to court documents, the victim sustained a laceration to her hand while trying to disarm Grace, whom prosecutors claim pointed a knife at her.
When asked to state her name in court, Grace initially introduced herself as “Charles Ingred.” Grace had made a similar comment in a July 28 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum.
To be mentally competent to stand trial, Grace must understand the charges against her and be able to assist in her defense.
Judge Di Toro ordered a full mental competency examination of Grace, who demanded to be moved to the George Washington University Hospital. While Judge Di Toro said relocating to the hospital was not possible, she recommended Grace cooperate with her doctors at the jail.
“I want a new judge. I’m not listening to you at all. You’re fired,” responded Grace, who was then escorted out of the courtroom.
Steven Polin, Grace’s attorney, said she would be best served by going to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, given her history of outbursts in court. Judge Di Toro agreed there was “clearly something going on” and that she would look into options for mental health services for Grace.
Parties are slated to reconvene for a mental observation hearing on Sept. 8.
