Murder Defendant to Remain at Hospital Following Petition for Civil Commitment

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After learning that a petition for civil commitment has been filed, a DC Superior Court judge decided that a murder defendant who has been found unlikely to become competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future should remain held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution.

Alisa Randall, 33, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing of 59-year-old Ronald Jones Payne on July, 15, 2019.

Randall, 33, was arrested that same day and found incompetent to stand trial shortly afterward. She has been held at St. Elizabeth’s for nearly two years now.

In April, the prosecution reported they will not contest a finding that Randall is incompetent to stand trial and that “there is no substantial probability that she will not attain competence or make substantial progress toward that goal in the foreseeable future,” according to court documents.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia decided they will be filing a petition for civil commitment. The prosecution asked that Randall keep receiving treatment at St. Elizabeth’s until a final order of commitment is entered.

During the June 8 hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz agreed to the request.

“[I] don’t think it’s safe for her to be released now or in the future,” he said.

The next mental observation hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2.

Mykala Jones and AsiaDee Williams wrote this article.

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