Judge Denies Stabbing Defendant’s Transfer to St. Elizabeths Mental Hospital

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DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld denied defense attorney Seth Schrager’s request for a stabbing defendant to be transferred to St. Elizabeths Hospital for observation on Jan. 22. 

Davon Hodge, 28, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, and unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of an incarcerated individual at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE on Jan. 18, 2023. 

During the hearing, Schrager requested a transfer for Hodge to St. Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric treatment, arguing that further evaluation was necessary to know if Hodge was mentally competent to stand trial. 

The prosecution opposed this request, given that prior reports repeatedly showed competency. Judge Hertzfeld alerted the parties that she had reviewed a report submitted by a psychologist from St. Elizabeths Hospital, in which Hodge was found to be competent, and no further treatment from St. Elizabeths is necessary. 

Based on that information, Judge Hertzfeld denied the transfer.

The next hearing is set for April 3.