Judge Reschedules Mental Competency Hearing and Arraignment for Defendant Who Escaped A Psychiatric Hospital

By Beatriz Olivares [former] - August 3, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During an Aug. 3 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt rescheduled a mental competency hearing and arraignment for a defendant who escaped from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, while waiting to be sentenced for the murder of his father. 

On Dec. 19, 2019, Bernard Coleman III, 29, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his 43-year-old father, Bernard Coleman Jr. on the 4000 block of Cole Boulevard, SE, on March 18, 2017. The victim suffered from two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Coleman was initially charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree burglary, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and robbery while armed.  Less than a year after Coleman III pleaded guilty for the death of his father, he was charged with prison breach, kidnapping while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon for an incident that took place in October 2020. 

During the Wednesday hearing, Judge Brandt told the prosecution and defense that the US Marshals brought the defendant over from the DC jail, but he refused to get off the bus due to a stomach ache. 

Defense attorney Janai Reed apologized to Judge Brandt and asked to reschedule the hearing for next week, so she can talk to Coleman about whether or not he wants to return to court. 

Judge Brandt expressed that she believed Coleman was feigning stomach troubles and that he needed to be in court so that she could make a competency finding and arraign him for the 2020 incident. She also stated that if Coleman continues to not to be present, she will set a trial date. 

“I’m a little worried this is becoming a pattern,” Judge Brandt said. “Mr. Coleman needs to pull himself together or I’m prepared to make appropriate findings.”

According to court documents, St. Elizabeth’s employees reported Coleman missing on Oct. 4, 2020. He allegedly escaped to a group home on Chaplin Street, SE, where he met up with another defendant on Oct. 7, 2020. Coleman and Edwards met when they were both housed at St. Elizabeth’s.

Coleman and Edwards allegedly went inside the group home and attacked a night-shift worker. According to court documents, Coleman assaulted the employee with tasers, and Edwards stabbed the employee’s hands and took him to the basement. Edwards and Coleman demanded the employee’s cash, credit cards, pins, and car keys. Edwards remained in the basement with the employee while Coleman left the group home with the employee’s credit card and car. 

 Coleman’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11.