Judge Accepts Doctor’s Competency Finding for Homicide Defendant

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On Jan. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt alerted parties she was accepting a doctor’s findings that a homicide defendant was competent to withstand trial.

Idrissa Fall, 37, is charged with first degree murder premeditated while armed, a bias-related crime, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in connection to the murder of Dara Northern, 29, on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, on July 18, 2021.

Parties and the court received a report from a doctor at the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) on Dec. 13, which stated doctors found Fall competent to stand trial.

Kevin Mosley, Fall’s defense attorney, alerted the court he was not planning to contest or object to the findings, and is ready for trial to begin on May 6.

Prosecutors told Judge Brandt they also agree with the report and are ready to proceed.

Parties are slated to return on Feb. 27 for a trial readiness hearing.

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