A fatal shooting defendant did not appear again for his mental observation hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 12.
Isaiah Trotman, 34, is charged with first-degree muder with aggravating circumstances, 13 counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, 27 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and 13 counts of armed kidnapping for his alleged involvement in a Feb. 1, 2023 shooting at the Potomac Avenue Metro Station located on the 1400 block of Potomac Avenue, SE. The shooting fatally injured 64-year-old Robert Cunningham and two additional victims sustained gunshot wounds.
An officer from the United States Marshals Service (USMS) told Judge Ryan that Trotman had been brought to the courthouse for his hearing but refused to enter the building.
The hearing marked the fourth consecutive hearing since Feb. 12 that Trotman was absent for, according to court records.
On March 9, the court received a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) report analyzing Trotman’s mental competency. Judge Ryan and the prosecution asked for more time to review the document.
To stand trial a defendant must understand the charges against him and be able to help his lawyer argue the case.
Defense attorney Ashley Prather Guzman said that Trotman was hospitalized in February for a life-threatening disease. After placement into a medical unit at the DC Jail, Trotman’s medication was changed. Guzman said she was hopeful that Trotman’s mental and physical health will improve as a result.
Judge Ryan described the case as an “on-going issue that [he’s] trying to get to the bottom of.”
Parties will reconvene on April 3 for another mental observation hearing.
