A report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) found a murder defendant remains mentally incompetent to stand trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Oct. 10.
Christopher Holness, 32, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed of a senior citizen for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of his grandmother, 83-year-old Sandra Mundle, which occurred on Jan. 17 on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW.
According to court documents, Holness was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia or delusional thinking. In order to stand trail a defendant must be mentally competent enough to understand the charges against him and help his lawyer defend the case.
The DBH report said that despite being currently incompetent, there is substantial reason to believe Holness will be restored to competency or make significant progress. They recommended he remain hospitalized for inpatient restoration.
Parties are set to reconvene on Dec. 12.
