Judge Orders Mental Competency Eval for Murder Defendant

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 14, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a trial readiness hearing Aug. 12, a judge ordered a murder defendant to undergo a mental competency evaluation.

Bernard Coleman III, 26, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, burglary, robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence for allegedly shooting his father, Bernard Coleman Jr., 43. The shooting occurred on the 4000 block of Cole Boulevard on March 17, 2017.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe accepted the DC Department of Mental Health’s recommendation that Coleman receive mental evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial.

All of Coleman’s trial dates have been vacated pending the results of his mental evaluation. His trial was scheduled to begin on Aug. 19.

D.C. Witness previously reported that defense counsel requested a mental exam on July 25 due to Coleman’s disciplinary issues while in custody.

Judge Iscoe said he expects the results of the evaluation to be ready by the next hearing.

Coleman is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on Sept. 9.