A defense psychiatrist’s evaluation determined a 2019 fatal stabbing defendant is still struggling with schizophrenia before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on March 31.
Alisa Randall, 38, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the July 15, 2019 fatal stabbing of 59-year-old Ronald Payne on the 1300 block of Euclid Street, NW.
Randall had previously been found incompetent to stand trial in 2019, meaning she can’t understand the facts of the case or help her attorney in her defense. Her mental competency has not been restored
During the hearing, Randall failed to appear in court. A forensic psychiatrist, who was hired by the defense since the last hearing in December, said that he was unable to interview Randall, but he did write a report based on provided medical records.
Randall’s attorney, Ashley Prather-Guzman, said that Randall is residing in a group home in New York.
The psychiatrist said Randall’s schizophrenia is “not a self-healing condition” that one doesn’t “spontaneously recover from.” He added that past records show that medication has improved some of Randall’s more severe symptoms but her schizophrenia, low IQ, and cognitive impairments continue to present challenges.
The prosecution said that the psychiatrist had not obtained Randall’s most recent medical records from treatment in New York and urged the defense to do so before the next meeting.
Judge Ryan characterized the psychiatrist’s report as “rather compelling” but stated that he remained concerned about community safety due to the serious nature of the charge, leading him to consider issuing a bench warrant. He added that his concerns for community safety goes beyond district lines and that he needed more information on Randall’s “current functioning.”
As a result, Judge Ryan decided against issuing a bench warrant for Randall but ordered Prather-Guzman to contact Randall’s appointed guardian and guardianship attorney located in New York.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 29.
