Judge Declares Murder Defendant Incompetent

A DC Superior Court judge declared a murder defendant incompetent to stand trial.

Alisa Randall is charged with second-degree theft and the second-degree murder of Ronald Jones. Randall allegedly stabbed Payne on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW on July 15, 2019.

Randall’s competency to stand trial was last evaluated on April 17 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution. While her doctor deemed Randall competent, the defense argued that her progress has plateaued and she still possesses great deficits in rationality and role identification in the courtroom.

Randall’s defense called for a suspension of the case on the grounds that she likely will not show substantial progress or competency within the foreseeable future.

However, the prosecution and Judge Neal Kravitz agreed that Randall could eventually become competent with the right medication and mental services.

In previous hearings, the defense and prosecution located a point of contention between a Supreme Court decision in Jackson v. Indiana and a local DC statute. The decision and the statute offer somewhat differing interpretations of the amount of time given to a defendant in order to witness substantial improvement in competency to stand trial.

The prosecution and defense also disagreed on how long Randall’s next restorative period should be. The defense argued that Randall should be evaluated in a month, while the prosecution proposed that Randall be evaluated after six more months at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC psychiatric institution.

Judge Kravitz eventually decided to re-evaluate Randall’s competency in two months. Randall will remain in St. Elizabeth’s in the meantime.

Randall is scheduled appear in court again on Aug. 14, when Judge Kravitz will further evaluate her competency.

Judge Postpones Murder Defendant’s Release from Psych Hospital

On June 18, a DC Superior Court judge postponed the Department of Behavioral Health’s request to release a defendant from DC’s psychiatric institution until he is deemed competent.

Bratrell Hawkins, 27, is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm in the shooting death of Xavier Tate, which occurred on the 1400 block of 3rd Street, SW on Jan. 5.

Hawkins was deemed competent to stand trial on March 9. However, his defense attorney, James King, said Hawkins should remain at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for further evaluation.

King’s motion was granted by DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz.

The Department of Behavioral Health also motioned for Hawkins’ release from St. Elizabeth’s in early May, but Judge Kravitz denied the motion.

Hawkins’ competency will be examined again through a series of interviews that will conclude on July 6. Judge Kravitz said that it would be beneficial to keep Hawkins in St. Elizabeth’s in order to examine whether his competency faces any challenges.

Hawkins is scheduled for another hearing on July 10 to discuss the status of his competency.

Judge Changes Defendant’s Release Conditions from Home Confinement to Curfew

On June 18, a judge decided to change a defendant’s release restrictions.

Harry Brown is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in a felony domestic violence case.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Sean Staples switched Brown from home confinement to the high intensity supervision program (HISP) with a standard curfew.

Brown was original scheduled for a hearing for violating a home confinement restriction multiple times between March 16 and June 14. A notice of noncompliance was submitted on June 17.

The defendant’s legal counsel, Stephany Reaves, told Judge Staples that she and the defendant were not aware that he could not leave his house.

Brown’s defense attorney read her notes from an earlier proceeding in which a judge said that Brown’s home confinement would not be permanent. She said she was also unaware that he could not leave his house at all.

She acknowledged that the official court documents did say that Brown would be in constant home confinement, but she argued that Brown was also unaware of his inability to leave his house.

On June 15, the defendant has been allowed to attend a funeral.

According to his defense attorney, this is the first time Brown has been arrested and he now understands what he needs to do to stay in compliance, though the restriction is a hardship.

Brown has a daughter to take care of and has been working odd jobs to bring in money. Brown’s job, which is working for a faith-based organization, was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prosecutor on the case said that Brown has been given a total of seven warnings for his continued violations.

But, the prosecution agreed with Brown’s counsel surrounding the hardship of home confinement and requested that Brown be placed under HISP, which has a standard curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Brown is scheduled for another hearing on Oct. 8. His case is currently pending grand jury.

Judge Issues Warrant for Defendants Failure to Appear

Man failed to appear at his hearing and District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Sean Staples issued a no bond bench warrant for his arrest.

Judge Staples said Ralph Wesley already has a warrant out for his arrest from another pending case from 2017.

In this case, Wesley is charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into El Rincon Espanol Restaurant, located on the 1800 block of Columbia Road, NW and attempting to steal bottles of liquor from the basement.

Wesley was arrested alongside another suspect who was also seen inside the restaurant.

Wesley has been issued two notices of noncompliance having to do with his release requirements, which includes a stay away order.

Judge Releases Defendant in Domestic Violence Case

A DC Superior Court judge released June 18 a man charged with simple assault and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Victor Negron has been detained since May 9. He is accused of punching his wife in the face and threatening to kill her family.

The prosecution told Judge Maribeth Raffinan that Negron has a history of committing crimes against his victim, including assault and attempted arson. He was also said to have violated his probation for a previous case.

Defense attorney David Vega noted that his client’s past transgressions are a result of him suffering from major depression. Vega requested the defendant’s release because Negron suffers from asthma. Remaining in jail would make him susceptible to contracting COVID-19, Vega said.

The victim told the judge that Negron has not been taking his medication and has been drinking alcohol profusely. She indicated she would like the defendant to be released and promised to help him seek mental health services.

Judge Raffinan said Negron’s probation could not have been well enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendant was placed on GPS tracking and given an order to not harass, stalk, or abuse the victim.

Negron is scheduled for a status hearing on July 6.

Judge Cancels Hearing After He Couldn’t Reach Defense Counsel

A hearing was cancelled when the defense attorney did not show and attempts to contact her failed.

Michael Grayton pled guilty to attempted possession of liquid PCP. On March 9, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, six of which were suspended.

On June 4, Grayton filed a motion for compassionate release in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. He suffers from asthma, which can put him at a higher risk for serious complications if he gets the virus, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Grayton was scheduled for a post disposition status hearing on June 18. DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun said there was a “realistic possibility” he would have resentenced Grayton to time served plus fourteen days, the typical quarantine period.

Grayton’s defense attorney, Donna Beasley, did not show up to the hearing. No parties were able to contact her. Around a half hour after the hearing was scheduled to begin, Judge Okun decided that the hearing should be rescheduled.

Judge Okun asked if there was any way to put Grayton is quarantine today so as not to push his possible release date further into the future, but was told it could not be done. He apologized to Grayton, telling him that he would try to get a release date for him. Judge Okun said he would try to get the earliest date possible.

Judge Lets Defense Push Hearing Back, Again

With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way criminal justice procedures are done, a murder hearing for a defendant was pushed back by a week.

MeQuan Carthens is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Lagioria Brinkley on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE on March 20. Carthens is believed to be involved in two shootings that occurred that day that were only a few streets apart.

Carthens, 19, defense attorney, Kevann Gardner told Judge Michael O’Keefe, who was standing in for Judge Danya Dayson, that he has not been able to review the case’s evidence with his client due to changes from COVID-19.

Gardner said he will be able to review evidence with Carthens in the near future. He told the judge that the defense could be ready to chose a date for a preliminary hearing during a hearing that has been rescheduled.

This is the second time the hearing has been rescheduled to give Gardner time to review evidence with his client. The hearing was first scheduled to occur on June 11, rescheduled to June 18 and now scheduled for June 25.

Carthens is being held at the DC Jail without bail.

Defense Requests Transfer Due to Health Issues

A defense attorney requested June 18 that his client be moved from DC Jail’s Central Detention Facility (CDF) to the institution’s Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) because of chronic health issues, mental health issues and possible complications due to drug addiction.

Jamell Sanders pleaded guilty to assault with a knife on March 13.

Sanders’ attorney, Sean Murphy, argued for a transfer to CTF due to Sanders’ health conditions coupled with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue.

A representative from the DC jail said that Sanders is being given monthly checkups while being held at CDF. The medical professionals have not recommended he be transferred to CTF, the representative said.

Judge Danya Dayson recommended that Murphy be transferred if deemed necessary by the doctors at the jail.

Murphy is currently awaiting sentencing.

Judge Denies Release of Defendant Diagnosed with COVID-19

A judge denied a request June 18 for a defendant, who tested positive for COVID-19 and still exhibits some symptoms, to be released from jail into 24-hour home confinement.

Jordan Therman is charged with assault with the intent to kill.

Defense attorneys Todd Baldwin and Rebecca Bloch argued for Therman’s release, citing continuous symptoms related to COVID-19 and the death of a family member, which has left him feeling “sad and afraid.”

Judge Danya Dayson denied the release, but did request that the jail continue to monitor Therman’s symptoms and provide him any care he may need.

Document: Police Arrest Second Suspect in Assault Case

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested June 17 a 22-year-old man who is connected to an assault that occurred in Southwest, DC.

According to a press release, the suspect along with a juvenile who was also arrested for the crime on June 5 , shot a man on the 200 block of N Street, SW on May 23.

The victim was taken to a hospital for life threatening injuries. There has been no update on the victims recovery.

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Hearing Postponed to Give Defense Attorney More Time To Speak with Client

A DC Superior Court judge postponed a hearing to provide more time for the defense to construct a specific plan regarding the defendant’s mental health issues.

Edward Cowser was charged with attempted threats to do bodily harm, second-degree theft, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, and simple assault. According to court documents, on April 25, Cowser attempted to steal a Natty Daddy from Greenway Liquors on the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE. After a witness said he did not pay for the item, Cowser took out a knife, pointed it at the witness and said “I will kill you.”

Defense attorney Jamison Koehler said he was upset with the lack of communication he was able to have with his client. The lack of communication is a result of the new procedure for cases.

The prosecutor said Cowser’s history of violent behavior places him as a threat to the community. He has seven cases pending in the DC Superior Court, three of which involved a knife.

Cowser, 40, wishes to be released due to his alleged change in mental state and heightened susceptibility to the physical dangers presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. He suffers from epilepsy, glaucoma, high blood pressure, and a bullet lodged in his head. Since his incarceration, Cowser has had three seizures.

Cowser was unable to receive medication during the initial stages of the outbreak. He said this incident would not have occurred had he received the medication and therapy for his depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The defendant is now taking medication for the disorders.

“Being locked up is not helping me,” Cowser said, adding that he was the “victim.”

Judge Ronna Beck placed a nominal bond of $10 on Cowser, 40, so he will receive credit for his jail time. Cowser’s next hearing is scheduled for June 25.

Judge Discharges Hearing for Defendant on Probation

A 36-year-old man on probation with a conviction of a sexual abuse was discharged because of his effort to attend his hearing on June 17.

Jermale McKnight was placed on probation in March with significant conditions, including a mental health screening and possible treatment, drug testing and possible treatment, alcohol testing and possible treatment, sex offender counseling and a stay away order.

DC Superior Court Judge Sean Staples noted that McKnight appeared in court and asked the probation officer if he was willing to continue working with McKnight.

According to McKnight’s probation officer, McKnight has not had contact with him since April.

It was also unclear if McKnight is homeless or not.

McKnight’s attorney, Lauckland Nicholas, argued that McKnight was homeless and that the issues of non-compliance have arisen out of possible mental health issues.

However, McKnight’s probation officer said the defendant is not homeless.

The probation officer agreed to continue working with McKnight and Judge Staples discharged the hearing with a warning to McKnight that he must check-in with his probation officer.

McKnight was held on an outstanding arrest warrant.

Defendant Gets No Jail Time, for ‘Out of Character’ Crime

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a domestic violence defendant after he reached a plea agreement with the prosecution.

Paul Harrington pleaded guilty to simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and attempted threats to do bodily harm.

Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Harrington to 2 months in confinement. However, she suspended the sentence, ordering him to serve nine months of supervised probation.

“It was out of my character, and I’m very remorseful,” Harrington said.

Harrington also received a stay away order and is required to complete a 12 week anger managment class, which will be conducted online. He will also have to pay $150 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.

Harrington is employed and has no criminal history. Both the prosecution and the defense agreed that his crime was out of character.

Judge Issues Warrant for No-Show Defendant

A man, charged with second-degree theft and unlawful entry for allegedly stealing merchandise from a Harris Teete, has continued to violate his home confinement.

In February of this year, Barrington Blake was barred from entering the same Harris Teeter located at 1201 First Street,. NE.

Blake was scheduled to show up in court for a hearing on June 16, but he did not appear.

Due to Blake’s absence in court and continued violation of home confinement, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Sean Staples issued a no bond bench warrant for Blake’s arrest.

In March, Blake was placed under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

Judge Vacates Pretrial Hearing for Defendant On HISP

A defendant was scheduled for a pretrial show cause hearing for noncompliance with release conditions. But, it was discovered that his GPS device was malfunctioning.

Drayvin Wilson is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed. Wilson allegedly tried to rob a man while he was playing with his dog in his own backyard, according to court documents.

Wilson has a stay away order from the victim.

However, Judge Judith Smith vacated the hearing when it was discovered that Wilson’s GPS device has been malfunctioning.

It is unclear why his GPS was malfunctioning, but Wilson has been given a new GPS device with two additional chargers.

Wilson is scheduled for a hearing on Aug. 7.

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