Juvenile defendant in subway station murder case declared unfit to stand trial

By Jeff Levine
– 25 September 2024
Daily Stories | Murder Cases | Teens | Suspects | Victims |

In a brief hearing on September 25, Judge Kendra Briggs of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia declared that a juvenile murder suspect is currently “not competent to stand trial.” The decision was based on a behavioral report from the Child Guidance Clinic, which is part of the Social Services Division (CSS) of the Columbia court.

The 17-year-old is facing charges including armed second-degree murder, armed assault with intent to kill, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, endangering another with a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of unregistered ammunition for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Avion Evans on April 4.

The incident occurred at the Brookland Metro station in the 800 block of Monroe Street, NE.

During Wednesday's hearing, a CSS representative said the defendant must complete a six-week program at the clinic to restore his mental capacity so he can understand what is happening in court and defend himself. Until then, he cannot appear in court.

According to the clinic's website, it treats “a range of cognitive, emotional and interpersonal problems in both community and sheltered settings.” Services also include court-ordered mental health evaluations.

In the meantime, the teen is following “the highest standards of compliance” while remaining in the custody of the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), according to the CSS representative.

He said competency courses should begin next week and the clinic must submit a final report to Judge Briggs.

The hearing on sanity is scheduled for November 26