Judge Says Murder Defendant Won’t Cooperate with Mental Evaluators

By Ella Lesher [former] - October 18, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Uncategorized | Victims |

On Oct. 18, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein rescheduled a mental observation hearing for a homicide defendant unwilling to take part in the evaluation.

Raymond Mathis, 36, along with Deandre Sams, 27, and Keshawn Lavender, 22, are charged with first-degree murder for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Matthew Miller on Sept. 5 in an apartment on the 200 block of M Street, SW.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, the three defendants attempted to steal drugs and money from those in the apartment. The plan went awry, leading to a shooting that injured five and killed Miller. All three defendants were shot. 

At what was supposed to be a mental observation hearing, Judge Epstein described the defendant as “not willing to speak with [the evaluator].” He stressed to Mathis it is important for him to cooperate in order to get the best defense possible since his attorney needs to “be able to work with [him].”

The defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, suggested that Mathis was never transported and not told about the interview. She contends that he now understands the interview process and will meet with the evaluator once the appointment is rescheduled.

According to Judge Epstein, the case is stalled until the issue gets resolved. He rescheduled the appointment and the mental observation hearing, urging Mathis to “help move the case along” by complying with court orders.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Oct. 30.