Judge Approves Defense Request for Another Competency Screening

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On March 29, the defense requested their own expert conduct a mental competency screening for a homicide suspect before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein. He ultimately approved the request.

Asmerom Ghebrekidan, 52, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident that occurred on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE, on May 25, 2023. The assault left two victims suffering from injuries, and one of the victims, 41-year-old Fitsum Ayele Mamo, died two days after the incident.

During the hearing, Ghebrekidan’s stand-in defense attorney, Molly Bunke, requested their own expert evaluate Ghebrekidan following multiple inconclusive evaluations by doctors from the Department of the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).

Ghebrekidan also requested new counsel as he believes that his assigned attorney, Kevin Mosley, is working for an organization working against him. Bunke was acting as a stand-in defense counsel for Ghebrekidan, as he refused to be near Mosley.

Given the situation, Bunke requested that the parties “hold off” on an arraignment until they have time to have Ghebrekidan evaluated by their own behavioral health experts.

Parties are slated to return June 14.

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