Judge Orders Murder Defendant’s Transfer to DC Mental Health Facility

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 22, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge ordered Nov. 20 that a murder defendant be transferred to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital.

Reginald Turner, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed with a firearm for his alleged role in the shooting of 37-year-old Malik Muhammed on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE on Nov. 26, 2018. Muhammed died from his injuries on Dec. 1, 2018.

The transfer was ordered after both parties agreed that the defendant should undergo a full competency evaluation.

The evaluation was recommended by an examiner who conducted a forensic evaluation on Turner days before. According to the examiner, Turner’s mental competency could not be verified through the forensic exam.

Neither party objected to a full examination or Turner’s transfer to St. Elizabeth’s.

James King, Turner’s defense attorney, requested that, while the defendant waits to be transferred to the hospital, he be allowed to go to the Central Treatment Facility (CTF).

King requested the transfer to CTF so Turner’s mental health would not get worse.

However, DC Jail is currently under a standard quarterly lockdown. According to Keena Blackmon, the Department of Corrections public information officer, the jail undergoes lockdowns to ensure the safety and security of the facility.

The lockdown began on Nov. 19, Blackmon told D.C. Witness.

Instead of moving Turner to CTF, Judge Craig Iscoe said he would recommend that Turner be placed in the mental health unit at DC Jail. He said he would also request an expedited transfer.

A report on Turner’s mental health is expected to be filed on Jan. 9, 2020. Turner is scheduled for a mental observation hearing on Jan. 10, 2020.

Turner also pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Prince George’s County, Md. in July. Court documents state that Turner was pulled over in Maryland by Metropolitan Police Detectives a day after the shooting.

Along with assistance from Maryland State Police and the Prince George’s County police, officers approached Turner’s black Hummer. Turner fought with the officers and sped away, striking one of the officers with his vehicle, documents state.

After a 20-mile chase, Turner was apprehended in Adelphi, Md., according to the documents.