A Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report indicated a woman charged in a tourist stabbing was not criminally responsible due to a mental defect, DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said during a Sept. 19 hearing.
Kelly Williams, 53, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, malicious disfigurement while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon for her alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred at the intersection of Independence Avenue and L’Enfant Plaza, SW on Jan. 12. One victim, a tourist, was harmed during the incident.
According to court records, Williams’ mental health has been called into question since the beginning of her case in January. On July 11, Judge Kravitz requested an evaluation of criminal responsibility after defense attorney Darryl Daniels said an independent psychiatrist determined Williams may have been experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the incident. The order indicated that Williams believed the victim was a threat to her.
On Sept. 11, a DBH evaluator concluded it was more likely than not that Williams is not criminally responsible for the incident. A plea of not criminally responsible is tantamount to an insanity defense.
The prosecutor noted that the determination was made based on a low bar of evidence.
Daniels also said that Williams may not want to pursue an insanity defense, but is not sure because the report was sent to the parties the previous evening. They will discuss these issues on a later date.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 10.
