Murder Defendant Is Not Yet Competent, Judge Says

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.

Donate Now

A DC Superior Court judge found that a murder defendent was not competent at a Feb. 10 mental observation hearing. 

Reginald Turner is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm for allegedly shooting Malik Muhammed on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NE in November of 2018. Turner, 34, who currently resides at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s mental institution, is also charged with second-degree assault in Maryland. A day after the 2018 shooting, Turner was apprehended following a high-speed chase with Metropolitan Police Department detectives. 

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz reported the competency finding of an independent psychological evaluation, and held off ruling on a motion that would dismiss the case.

Instead, the prosecution has until Feb. 18 to file a brief on the motion and the defense must respond by Feb. 24. Both parties will address the motion at the next mental observation hearing on Feb. 28.

James King, Turner’s defense attorney, also argued that Turner has been held long after the prosecution’s nine-month deadline. King requested that Turner be released. Turner is still being held at St. Elizabeth’s.

Written by Wyatt Mullins