DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman canceled an upcoming vehicular homicide trial on June 26 due to concerns about the defendant’s ability to both stand trial and represent himself.
Kyle Piunti, 37, is charged with second degree murder and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the death of Michael Hamlin, 54, who died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway I-295 southbound around Mile Marker 1 on Jan. 3, 2024.
In a status hearing, Judge Edelman revisited the topic of Piunti’s mental competency to stand trial. Piunti must understand the charges against him and be able to assist in his defense. After a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) filed on May 29, the judge did not make a finding regarding Piunti’s competency.
Judge Edelman stated that Piunti’s behavior at the previous hearing, held on June 22, had given him “concern.” He referenced Piunti’s attempts to talk over both himself and the prosecutors, as well as other behavior that was otherwise “contrary to his own self-interest.”
Judge Edelman cited a “self-defeating” approach to his former attorneys demonstrated by the defendant, and noted that the dismissal of his most recent counsel, David Akulian, was the sixth attorney who had been withdrawn from the case at Piunti’s request. According to court records, Piunti has had seven total attorneys in his case.
Judge Edelman said that the defendant’s “irrational” and “paranoid” behavior had raised significant red flags as to his competency.
Representing himself, Piunti claimed that his decision to dismiss his attorney didn’t demontrate menal incompetence on his part, but “misconduct” on Akulian’s.
Judge Edelman ordered the trial scheduled for July 1 to be cnceled and for a full mental competency assessment to be completed at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients.
Parties are slated to reconvene on August 7.
