Judge Grants Defense Request For Mental Competency Eval After Homicide Defendant’s Guilty Plea  - DC Witness

Judge Grants Defense Request For Mental Competency Eval After Homicide Defendant’s Guilty Plea  - DC Witness

DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan ordered a mental competency screening on June 5 for a homicide defendant who already accepted a plea deal.   Jose Hernandez, 19, was previously charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in two drive-by shootings in the Petworth neighborhood on April 29, 2025. Zephaniah Wright, 19, was fatally shot and a second victim injured outside of the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Me…