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By
Beatriz Canals [former]
- October 13, 2022
Court
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Daily Stories
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Sex Abuse
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Sexual Assault
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During an Oct. 13 status hearing for a 2020 sex abuse case, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt evaluated a defendant’s competency to proceed with trial.
The 56-year old defendant is charged with first-degree sex abuse while armed with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
The defendant expressed his desire to undergo a Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Defense (NGRI), which assesses the defendant’s mental state at the time of the alleged crime.
“When the crime occurred I wasn’t in the right state of mind,” the defendant said. “I’m not saying that I committed the crime.”
Defense attorney Andrew Ain also considered the possibility of a bifurcated, or two stage, trial that would determine the defendant’s guilt and his sanity.
Judge Brandt granted the defendant’s request and filed an order for a Criminal Responsibility Examination.
The next status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16.