Murder Defendant Will Likely Gain Competency to Stand Trial, Report Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 1, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A report stated that even though a murder defendant is not competent to stand trial now, she  will likely gain competency after treatment.

Alisa Randall, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 59-year-old Ronald Jones in an apartment on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW on July 15.

The Department of Behavioral Health report stated that there was a “substantial probability” that Randall would regain competency to stand trial in the future.

Randall is currently being held at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital.

Randall’s defense attorney, John Fowler, did not dispute the report. However, during the mental observation hearing Oct. 31, he requested that the prosecution would turn over contact information for witnesses in the case.

Fowler said the witnesses had information on Randall’s state of mind on the day of the homicide. He said the testimonies could provide a basis for a not guilty by insanity defense.

The prosecutor said he would provide the information as long as Fowler does not disclose how he obtained information about the testimonies.

DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe told Fowler that if any witnesses ask how he obtained information about them, he could say he received the information from a court order.

Judge Iscoe also denied a motion to prevent the prosecution from destroying DNA evidence in the process of testing it.

Judge Iscoe explained that the lab should try to preserve biological evidence, so that the defense could also test it. But if it is necessary to consume all of the material, then the prosecution could do so.

Randall is scheduled for another mental observation hearing on Dec. 3.