At a status hearing on Feb. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ordered a mental competency screening for a homicide defendant at the request of the defendant’s attorney.
D’Aundrey Scott, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and two counts of arson for his alleged involvement in a homicide on May 13, 2020 on the 1300 block of H Street, NE, which resulted in the death of 62-year-old Darryl Finney. Finney died on May 15, 2020 due to burns caused by a firebomb that Scott allegedly threw at him.
During the status hearing, Scott’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, requested a competency evaluation following a discussion with his client. Winograd explained that although Scott had been found competent to stand trial on Nov. 14, 2025, mental competency is a fluid state and he wanted an additional evaluation prior to the jury trial scheduled for June 22. The prosecution had no objections on the matter.
in order for a defendant to stand trial he must be mentally competent enough to understand the charges and be able to help his attorney.
Judge Edelman granted the request and ordered a competency screening.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 17.
