Suspect in Hammer Attacks Needs More Evaluation

Held without bond until April 2013 competency hearing, judge ruled

The District man charged in a series of hammer attacks in northwest Washington last spring should remain in a mental health hospital without bond until his competency hearing next year, a judge ruled Wednesday during a status hearing.

Michael Davis, 19, is accused in the death of a 66-year old tourist in the Petworth community in April as well as the assault of at least two other people.

Prosecutors say Davis would walk up to people from behind then hit them in the head with a hammer or some other similar tool.

He was declared incompetent to stand trial and has been a patient at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital since May.

However, at a hearing today, doctors declared Davis is competent to stand trial but should stay in the hospital for more tests, The Washington Post reports. Davis’s attorney disagreed with the hospital’s conclusion.

A competency hearing was scheduled for April 22.

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