DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum ordered a mental competency examination for a shooting defendant before finding probable cause in her co-defendant’s preliminary hearing on March 9.
Natalie Bisher, 25, and Damond Brown, 26, are charged with aggravated assault while armed for their alleged involvement in a shooting on the 300 block of Evarts Street, NE on Nov. 27, 2025.
Brown is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.
During the hearing, Bisher’s attorney, James Ryan, stated his client would be waiving her preliminary hearing. When Judge Hildum asked if Bisher understood the rights she’d be giving up, Bisher exhibited noticeable confusion. Judge Hildum told Ryan to talk to his client to make sure she understood the consequences.
Ryan requested his client undergo a psychiatric examination to determine her mental competency. To stand trial, a defendant must understand the charges and help in their defense. Ryan told Judge Hildum that if his client didn’t waive her preliminary hearing, it would be detrimental to the case, stating he wanted the examination done before making a decision on his client’s hearing.
Judge Hildum granted his request, setting a mental observation hearing for March 12.
Brown’s attorney, Damon Catacalos, stated his client would be proceeding with his preliminary hearing.
According to court documents, the victim allegedly got into Bisher’s vehicle with plans to go to Bisher’s apartment to hang out. Brown then allegedly climbed into the passenger’s seat and shot the victim in the abdomen. Brown and Bisher allegedly dropped the victim in a parking lot and drove off. The victim did not identify Brown as an assailant, stating the shooter was wearing a mask during an interview.
The prosecution called a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to testify.who stated she learned of additional information regarding jail calls between Brown and Bisher.
The detective said Brown and Bisher placed themselves at the scene of the crime and Bisher admitted involvement in the crime during the jail calls.
On cross-examination, the detective said she didn’t know the extent of Bisher’s involvement based on the calls. She also said she had not listened to the calls, learning of them from the prosecution.
Catacalos asked the detective if the prosecution listened to the tapes. She said the prosecution had gotten the information from a different prosecutor.
The detective stated that she did not go to the crime scene until later in the week, rather than on the night of the incident. She said there was no physical or video evidence found that indicated a gun was fired at the crime scene.
According to the detective, Bisher’s black Volkswagen was seen in camera footage. The investigation revealed that the car hadn’t been altered.
The detective said there was no blood in the car and there was no ballistic evidence in or around the suspect’s vehicle. The detective explained a picture of a prison inmate was found in the vehicle that was later identified as Brown based off of facial markings.
According to the detective, camera footage captured Brown wearing a dark jacket, dark pants with a long white tag and dark shoes. The detective said that Brown is seen in video footage approaching Bisher’s vehicle and exiting it. In separate footage, the detective stated Brown and Bisher are visible within the car, identifying them based on their complexions. The detective stated that no facial features could be made out on any of the camera footage.
Police allegedly found, during a search of Brown’s apartment, clothes that were said to match the clothes Brown was seen wearing in the camera footage, according to the detective.
Officers also said they recovered several firearm accessories, including a 3D printed bottom part of a gun.
At the end of the hearing, the prosecution asked the judge to find probable cause, stating that Brown is seen in and leaving the vehicle found at the alleged shooting. The prosecution stated the victim was lured into the vehicle, shot and dumped in a parking lot.
The prosecutor added clothes found during a search of his apartment, Brown’s vehicle at Bisher’s home after the shooting and the jail calls were enough for probable cause. However, Judge Hildum stated he wouldn’t consider the jail calls in his decision.
Catacalos asked the judge not to find probable cause. He said there was no facial identification or witnesses to the crime, no evidence in or near the car that showed a gun went off, the victim didn’t identify Brown as the assailant, no location data on Brown’s phone putting him at the crime scene, and the clothing found in Brown’s apartment wasn’t unique.
Nonetheless, Judge Hildum found probable cause based on the clothing found in Brown’s apartment, Brown’s close association with Bisher and phone calls between the two before and after the shooting.
The defense requested release on GPS monitoring with a curfew, stating Brown would comply with any stay away orders the judge imposed.
The prosecution argued that Brown should remain in custody, citing his prior criminal history and the fact that Brown was on supervised release for another case when the alleged shooting happened.
Judge Hildum determined that Brown would remain held, stating that since the crime involved a firearm, there is a presumption of dangerousness.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 10.
