DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz deemed a stabbing defendant mentally competent to stand trial in a hearing on June 18 while keeping him institutionalized.
Corey Bridges, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, threatening to kidnap or injure a person, and tampering with physical evidence for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on June 7, 2025, on the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE.
At the hearing, parties discussed a report they received from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) filed on May 29 stating that Bridges was competent to stand trial. Bridges’ defense attorney, Molly Bunke, previously asked for more time to review the findings. Judge Kravitz allowed Bridges to stay at Saint Elizabeths Hospital for psychiatric patients.
To stand trial, Bridges must understand the charges against him and be able to assist in his defense.
Bunke announced at the hearing that the defense would not be challenging the DBH competency finding.
However, she requested that Bridges remain at Saint Elizabeths, for “competence maintenance.” She says he receives better treatment there than in jail.
Judge Kravitz agreed and authorized Bridges’ continued stay.
The judge also deemed him legally competent to stand trial, based on the findings of the DBH report. Bridges interrupted to tell the judge, “I’m taking the first plea deal…and if not I’m asking for the second.”
Judge Kravitz explained to Bridges that the DBH report did not determine whether or not he was going to trial, it just meant he was competent to do so.
The prosecution decided that they would need three weeks to gather information and decide on their plea offer.
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 10.
