DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ordered a full mental evaluation for a homicide defendant on Aug. 13, after the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) was unable to make a finding.
Necho Taylor, 35, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating and stabbing of 34-year-old Joshua Foxworth on July 8 on the 800 block of Barnaby Street, SE. Foxworth sustained puncture wounds to the left side of his body and died from blunt force trauma to his face.
According to court documents, Foxworth was found dead in a bathtub.
During the hearing, parties discussed the report from DBH, dated Aug. 10, in which a doctor stated they couldn’t make a competency finding, and recommended Judge Edelman order a full evaluation.
Parties agreed to the request, and Judge Edelman ordered it. However, Terrence Austin disagreed with the doctor’s recommendation that Taylor continue to be held at DC Jail, requesting he be transferred to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients.
The prosecution disagreed with that request, and after a sealed discussion, Judge Edelman stated he’d follow DBH’s recommendation for now. He stated future placement at Saint Elizabeths may be appropriate.
In order to stand trial, a defendant must understand the charges against him and help his attorney.
Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 11.
