DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld ruled that a stabbing defendant is mental competent to stand trial at a hearing on April 7.
Joly Germine, 33, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of unlawful possession of contraband into a penal institution. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in stabbings that took place in the DC Jail on the 1900 Block of D Street, SE on Aug. 28, 2025.
According to court documents, one victim suffered a stab wound to the right shoulder, a second victim suffered two stab wounds to his armpit and back, and a third victim suffered two stab wounds to the chest and the arm.
At the hearing, Judge Hertzfeld alerted parties that Germine had been found competent to stand trial based on a report done by the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). Judge Hertzfeld asserted that she agreed with the report of Germine’s competency.
To stand trial, Germine must understand the charges against him and be able to assist his attorney in his defense.
Additionally, Germine’s attorney, Brandon Taylor, submitted a request to Judge Hertzfeld in order to withdraw as counsel because he is leaving the Criminal Justice Attorney (CJA) panel which handles the overwhelming number of criminal cases against indigent clients.
Judge Hertzfeld set the next hearing in order to appoint a new attorney for Germine.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 9.
