Murder Defendant Refuses to Comply in Mental Health Evaluation

By Bridget Smith [former] - June 27, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A murder defendant refused to comply with a Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) evaluator to determine his ability to represent himself at trial. 

Wonell Jones Jr., 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm (prior crime of violence) for the death of his ex-girlfriend, Audora Williams, 33. Williams was shot in front of her children, whom she shares with the defendant, 52 times. The fatal shooting occurred on July 19, 2022, on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. Prior to the murder, Jones and Williams had a history of domestic disputes resulting in Williams getting multiple protective orders against him.. 

At a mental observation hearing on June 26, Jones’ attorney Carrie Weletz said that Jones had refused to cooperate with the DBH in an evaluation to determine his ability to represent himself. Jones had previously refused to comply with the DBH for another competency evaluation in March 2023. 

Weletz said that Jones and the evaluator had “got off on the wrong foot” and requested that another DBH evaluator attempt the evaluation. She emphasized that the evaluation was particularly necessary considering that Jones has been found incompetent in previous evaluations. 

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan  noted that the request was unusual but agreed to write the DBH requesting an alternate evaluator. 

“You need to participate in this evaluation for this case to go forward,” Judge Raffinan said. She added, “you don’t get to choose, Mr. Jones, who does your evaluation.” 

A trial date was set for March 2. Parties are slated to reconvene on July 25 to hear the results of the evaluation.