A D.C. Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered the man accused of killing his much-older socialite wife in their Georgetown home to spend at least another month being treated at St. Elizabeths mental hospital.
A psychologist’s evaluation concludes that Albrecht Muth is not currently competent to stand trial but has a good chance of becoming competent or making progress.
Muth, 47, has been indicted on first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances in the death of 91-year-old Viola Drath. The issue of his competency is scheduled to be revisited at another hearing on April 25.
Drath was found dead on a bathroom floor of the home in August. Doctors said she was killed by blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Muth is diagnosed with a non-specific psychotic disorder, the mental-health report stated, but he will undergo testing to clarify his diagnosis and to explore the possibility that he is faking illness. He is currently receiving medication, and the report recommended that he continue this treatment.
During his evaluation, doctors said, Muth understood he was charged with murder and showed a grasp of many of the basics of the criminal justice process — such as the purpose of a trial and a trial’s key players. The report also expressed confidence that Muth could maintain appropriate courtroom behavior.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Muth didn’t speak and wore a blue-and-red sweatsuit. He has previously asked the judge to be allowed to wear an Iraqi Army uniform during his trial, although the Iraqi Embassy said Muth was never in its army.
During his psychological evaluation, Muth was skeptical of a judge’s ability to remain neutral and believed that a defendant is practically assumed to be guilty.
Muth made “unusual” comments, according to the report,
such as that his wife’s death related to a “hit by the Iranian Army” and that he wanted the U.S. government to release certain CIA files. He expressed issues with his lawyers and wanted to represent himself. These comments are in line with remarks Muth made at a court hearing in November.
“At present, Mr. Muth appears to have a factual understanding of the court proceedings,” the report said. “At this time, of concern is his ability to rationally understand the proceedings against him or consult with his attorneys to a reasonable degree of rational understanding.”
Judge Russell Canan on Wednesday encouraged Muth to work with the staff at St. Elizabeths so he can get the case back on track.
