Parties established a restoration plan for a homicide defendant to achieve sufficient mental competence to stand trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on June 17.
Jose Sierra Perez, 41, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 37-year-old John Despertt at Miriam’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen and social services organization on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW on Feb. 5. Desperett sustained a stab wound to the right upper chest area.
At a hearing on April 8, Judge Ryan ordered a full mental competency examination after the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) requested Sierra Perez be transferred to Saint Elizabeths Hospital for further treatment. To stand trial, Sierra Perez must understand the charges against him and be able to assist in his defense.
At another hearing on June 17, the court received a mental competency report from a doctor about an interview with Sierra Perez indicating it was questionable whehter Sierra Perez could stand trial, but there was a “substantial improvement” with treatment and Sierra Perez could attain competence in the near future.
Parties agreed on a 90 day restoration period. The doctor’s report said should Sierra Perez be found incompetent, they recommend a longer period for restoration.
Judge Ryan commended Sierra Perez for working well with the doctors and told him to continue on his treatment trajectory.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 22.
