Mental Observation Hearing Continued as Forensic Psychologist Declares Defendant Competent to Stand Trial

By Amanda Michelson [former] - June 9, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Sexual Assault | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court Judge continued a mental observation hearing for a sex abuse case.

The defendant is charged with two counts of first-degree sex abuse, kidnapping while armed with a dangerous weapon, and assault with a dangerous weapon in a 2020 case. He is being held at St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington D.C.’s psychiatric hospital. 

During the June 8 hearing, a forensic psychologist testified to the competency of the defendant.

“He is currently competent to stand trial,” said the psychologist. 

The defendant was not delusional but instead had flexibility in his thinking, according to the psychologist, who defined delusions as fixed incorrect beliefs. The psychologist pointed to the defendant’s numerous letters to the court discussing the evidence of the case and the defendant’s reactions when his alleged evidence is contradicted. 

The psychologist diagnosed the defendant with antisocial personality disorder.

Defense attorney Andrew Ain refuted this diagnosis in favor of his own expert who diagnosed the defendant with borderline personality disorder. However, the psychologist asserted that neither diagnosis would render the defendant incompetent. 

The psychologist said the defendant has the capacity to choose to be cooperative and work with his counsel. Instead, the defendant is “making efforts to avoid lengthy prison time and stay at St. Elizabeths hospital.” 

Despite the defendant’s lack of compliance with testing, the psychologist was able to complete the Inventory of Legal Knowledge test, a test used to assist psychologists in determining competency. The defendant passed, showing a general understanding of legal ideas. 

The hearing is set to continue on June 9.