DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman agreed on Feb. 17 to send a murder-by-arson defendant for a criminal responsibility mental examination. The evaluation could result in a possible plea of not guilty by insanity.
D’Aundrey Scott, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and arson for his alleged involvement in the burning of 62-year-old Darryl Finney, on May 13, 2020 on the 900 block of H Street, NE. On the same day, Scott was charged with assault with intent to kill and another count of arson in connection to his alleged involvement in the non-fatal burning of another victim on the 1300 block of H Street, NE.
According to court documents, Scott allegedly carried out an arson spree from the hours of 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. During the attacks, Scott reportedly threw a burning T-shirt at one victim, who survived unharmed and threw a firebomb at Finney, who died from severe burns on May 15, 2020.
The attacks also allegedly included two house fires that investigators linked to Scott’s actions.
In a hearing on Feb. 17, Judge Edelman found Scott mentally competent to stand trial, meaning he understands the charges he faces and can work with his lawyer. However, he could still stage an insanity plea by claiming he didn’t know right from wrong, nor was able to abide by the law.
Prior to the hearing, Scott was placed in the Central Treatment Facility (CTF) of the DC Jail following mental competency restoration treatment at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients.
Scott’s defense attorney, Jesse Winograd, requested a criminal responsibility examination and recommended that Scott be returned to CTF.
The court agreed.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 27.
