Murder Suspect's Competency to Stand Trial Remains Unknown

After a fourth mental competency hearing, Albrecht Muth's capacity to stand trial remains undetermined.

Dr. Michele Godwin, a psychologist from St. Elizabeths Hospital where Muth is currently admitted, said the hospital needs more time to evaluate the patient, review journals entries he wrote and interview his family members.

Muth is charged with first-degree murder in the in her Georgetown home. 

Judge D.C. Superior Court Judge Russel F. Canan is allowing the hospital an additional four weeks to determine Muth's competency. Experts hired by the prosecution to evaluate the defendant are expected to release their opinion on his mental health within two weeks.

Prosecutor Glenn Kirschner said he expects government experts will find Muth competent to stand trial, but could not be certain. 

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6. 

The murder trial is tentatively scheduled to start in October, but Judge Canan penciled in two backup dates in his calendar—Dec. 3 and March 25. Public defender Dana Page argued it would be virtually impossible to mount a viable defense before spring. 

"There is absolutely no way we could be prepared for a trial this complicated in that short amount of time," Page said. 

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Dr. Michele Godwin as a psychiatrist. She is a licensed clinical psychologist.