Judge Orders Competency Screening for Kidnapping Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 28, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge ordered a preliminary screening to determine if a defendant charged with first-degree child sex abuse and armed kidnapping is competent to stand trial. 

The defendant’s sex abuse charge stems from a 2018 case. He picked up the kidnapping charge earlier this month. 

The 22-year-old is charged with kidnapping in connection with an incident that occurred on the 400 block of Chaplin Street, SE on Oct. 7. According to court documents, the defendant along and another suspect, who pleaded guilty to murder, allegedly used tasers to subdue the victim before stabbing his hands. Then, the two allegedly handcuffed the victim and took him to the basement of their apartment building before taking the victim’s money, credit cards and car. 

The victim was reportedly held in the basement for two to three hours before being released.

During the Oct. 28 hearing, defense attorney Heather Pinckney asked that her client receive a psychiatric evaluation in regard to the kidnapping case. She says the defendant has a severe mental health condition and is unable to stand trial.

Judge Julie Becker agreed to the request and scheduled another mental observation hearing for Dec. 10. 

The defendant was arrested on the day of the incident.

As a result of the investigation, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) also arrested 27-year-old Bernard Coleman III for armed kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, first-degree theft and second-degree theft in connection with the incident. At the time, Coleman was wanted for allegedly escaping from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital while awaiting sentencing for his father’s homicide.

He is now charged with armed kidnapping and prison breach.