Judge Orders Competency Screening for Convicted Sex Abuse Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 4, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge delayed a June 4 sentencing hearing for a sex abuse case at the defense’s request. 

In January 2020, Jamar Tillman was convicted in a court trial of third-degree sex abuse, assault with intent to commit third-degree sexual abuse, misdemeanor sex abuse, attempted misdemeanor sex abuse, kidnapping and robbery. 

Defense attorney Jonathan Zucker requested a forensic screening to determine if his 37-year-old client is competent both to proceed to sentencing and to get standby counsel to assist him in the case.

Several competency evaluations were conducted since Tillman picked up the case, and he was found competent to stand trial in January 2020. The defense thought it was appropriate to perform another screening.

Though his counsel requested screening before a sentencing could be determined, Tillman sent handwritten letters to Judge Neal Kravitz requesting that he proceed “without any further procrastination.”

Tillman also told Judge Kravitz he has “new defensive evidence” he would like to give the court.

“We have received a number of letters from Mr. Tillman over the last 15-16 months,” Judge Kravitz said.  The defendant has filed several pro se motions throughout the trajectory of his case.

The judge did not agree with Tillman’s request. Instead, Judge Kravitz scheduled a mental observation hearing for June 18. The competency evaluation will be conducted from DC Jail. 

Mykala Jones and Will Lawrence wrote this article.