Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Murder Case on Mental Grounds

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On January 29, DC Superior Court Judge Raffinan denied a motion to dismiss charges against a murder defendant.

Alisa Randall, 35, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 59-year-old Ronald Jones, on July 15, 2019, on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW.

According to court documents, Jones suffered two superficial stab wounds on his left arm and one fatal stab wound to his upper chest.

Randall’s defense counsel, Dana Page, argued Randall’s case should be dismissed since she was diagnosed as schizophrenic by three psychologists.

Page also cited previous case law from State v. Slye in Ohio, which led to a dismissal of charges due to mental incapacity. The defense reiterated that Randall will never become capable of standing trial, and that she should be treated similarly to the precedent setting case.

Jones’ sister provided a victim impact statement, stating, “She is breathing the same air that my brother will never breathe again,” and wanted Judge Raffinan to recommit Randall to an in-patient psychiatric facility.

Judge Raffinan refused to the charges, stating that the legal prerequisites had not been met.

Parties are slated to return Oct. 22.

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