A report from the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) deemed that a murder defendant remains mentally incompetent to stand trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Aug. 1.
Charles Lee, 29, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the murder of 65-year-old David Dowdell that occurred on March 9, 2022, on the 1100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.
Lee is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury while armed in connection with a stabbing on the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE on Feb. 15, 2021.
A report from Lee’s behavioral evaluator at Saint Elizabeths hospital stated that Lee remains incompetent to stand trial. The report described that, while Lee is making progress toward competency, the doctor “could not say with medical certainty how soon he would regain competency.”
In order to stand trial, a defendant must have the mental competence to understand the charges he faces and help his lawyer defend the case.
DBH is hesitant to suggest that more medication or alternative medication would improve the likelihood of Lee’s regaining competency.
Lee has been compliant with treatment. The defendant appeared virtually.
The judge ordered three more months of restoration efforts. The prosecution plans to consult another medical expert to evaluate the defendant’s competency.
Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 5.
