DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan ordered a full inpatient mental competency exam for a homicide defendant on April 8.
Jose Sierra Perez, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 37-year-old John Despertt at Miriam’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW on Feb. 5. Despertt sustained a stab wound to the chest.
During the hearing, Judge Ryan stated that the report filed by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) on March 30 deemed Sierra Perez mentally incompetent to stand trial. In order for a defendant to stand trial, they must understand enough about the legal proceedings to help their lawyer defend them. The report suggested Sierra Perez be transferred to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for inpatient psychiatric treatment.
Both parties agreed with the findings in the DBH report and Judge Ryan ordered a full inpatient competency exam.
Before the conclusion of the hearing, Sierra Perez’s attorney, Christen Philips, stated that there was sensitive information about her client’s background in the DBH report. She requested that the report be placed under seal. Judge Ryan understood, asking Philips to prepare a redacted copy of the report for the public docket.
Parties are slated to reconvene on May 11.
