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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- July 17, 2018
Court
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Homicides
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Suspects
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During a status hearing July 16, a judge found a murder defendant competent to stand trial.
Ammaad Chase-El is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his involvement in an attempted robbery that resulted in the fatal shooting of Antonio Ayala. The other defendants in the case are Javonte Odom, who is charged with first-degree murder, and Herman Odom, who pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Herman was sentenced to 18 years in prison. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly tried to rob Ayala, 34, on the corner of 13th and Van Buren Street, NW in 2015.
Since his arrest, Chase-El, 26, has worked with a clinical psychologist and undergone court-ordered psychiatric treatment at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital. In 2016, Judge Florence Pan ordered Chase-El be involuntarily medicated in order to help him achieve competency. He later agreed to voluntarily take his medication.
D.C. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson ruled Chase-El competent but ordered him to remain at St. Elizabeth’s to “maintain” his competency.
A status hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22.