Judge Cannot Concur with Murder Defendant’s Incompetency Finding

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 28, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge did not agree with a doctor’s finding that a murder defendant is not competetent to stand trial.

Alisa Randall is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Ronald Jones Payne to death on July 15 on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW. 

Randall, 32, has been held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, since Aug. 23, 2019. In her most recent observation, a doctor found her incompetent to stand trial. 

During the Aug. 27 hearing, the prosecution argued that the 31-year-old has shown progress in her health and cognition. Upon review of her medical records, the prosecution said that Randall’s psychosis seems to be subsiding and she has recently demonstrated the ability to understand more complex concepts.

Ashley Guzman, Randall’s defense attorney, disagreed with the prosecution, saying the doctor’s most recent findings were accurate.

Judge Neal Kravitz ruled that the court can not concur with the doctor’s finding at this time. He ordered an updated doctor’s report, due by Oct. 8, and scheduled another mental observation hearing to take place on that date.

D.C. Witness reported that Randall told the police that Jones attacked her. She also said Jones sexually assaulted her daughter.