Murder Defendant Deemed Mentally Competent After Back-And-Forth Pleas

By Kelsey Ball , Cameron Horne - November 8, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Data | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt deemed a murder defendant competent to stand trial on Nov. 7, citing a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). 

Niko Hall, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Anthony Lee on Sept. 26, 2020, on the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.

At the outset of the hearing, Judge Brandt made sure neither party had any objection to the ruling of competency found in Hall’s mental observation, adding that Hall’s continued refusal to meet and cooperate with defense counsel served as the primary reason for evaluating Hall’s competency.

Judge Brandt also highlighted numerous aspects of Hall’s case in an attempt to make a clear record for any future appellate court to read. Judge Brandt strated Hall’s two co-defendants, Darquise Montgomery and Kyree Wells, each took plea deals in 2023 for their involvement in the incident, while Hall decided to move forward to trial.

Hall’s legal proceedings began in late 2023 where he pleaded not guilty and made it to the second day of a jury trial. Opening arguments were set to begin on the third day, but before they were completed Hall decided he now wanted to plead guilty. Despite the timing of Hall’s request, the court ruled in his favor and ended the trial prematurely.

After just over a week of discussing a guilty plea, Hall expressed his desire to withdraw and reinstate his plea of not guilty, starting a new trial process and appointing a new defense attorney. Again, the court ruled it was Hall’s right and set new trial dates in December of this year.

In September, after nearly one year of being on the case, Wole Falodun, Hall’s attorney, requested to withdraw citing Hall’s refusal to meet. Judge Brandt denied this motion, highlighting the fact that Falodun is Hall’s second attorney on this case.

Throughout Judge Brandt’s recounting of Hall’s case, she made reference to a video of the crime’s being a key reason for the back-and-forth in this case. The video appears to depict the defendant committing the crime as well as clear identification.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22.