Local
Accused killer incompetent to stand trial
Man suspected in murder of trans woman
Over 200 people attended a candlelight vigil held for murdered trans woman Deoni JaParker Jones in 2012. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
A D.C. Superior Court Judge on Dec. 2 ruled that a 57-year-old man charged with first-degree murder while armed for the February 2012 stabbing death of transgender woman Deoni JaParker Jones is incompetent to stand trial.
Judge Robert E. Morin ordered Gary Niles Montgomery transferred from the D.C. jail to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for “competency restoration” and scheduled a court hearing to assess his mental health status for Feb. 7.
According to court records, Morin based his decision on a 30-day competency examination of Montgomery conducted at St. Elizabeth’s, the third such examination given to Montgomery since the time of his arrest two weeks after the Feb. 2, 2012 murder.
The first two exams found him competent to stand trial and prompted Morin to set a trial date for April 4, 2014. During the Dec. 2 hearing Morin vacated the trial date pending the outcome of further evaluation of Montgomery.
At the request of Montgomery’s defense attorneys, Anthony Matthews and Colle Latin, Morin agreed in October to send Montgomery to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, a city-run psychiatric facility, to undergo a third mental competency evaluation.
A copy of the report for that examination, on which Morin based his decision to declare Montgomery incompetent to stand trial, couldn’t immediately be obtained.
In a Sept. 9, 2013 motion filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Shick, the lead prosecutor in the case, Shick argued that prevailing evidence showed Montgomery understood the issues surrounding his case and was competent to proceed to a trial.
Deoni JaParker Jones
“The defendant was arraigned in early November 2012 and pled not guilty,” Shick said in her motion. “During a Nov. 30 status hearing, the defense argued for the defendant’s release into the community, claiming there was insufficient evidence that the defendant was a danger to the community or a risk of flight – claims that the defense would be hard pressed to make if they had concerns about his competency.”
Alvin Bethea, the stepfather of Jones, told the Blade this week he is troubled over the judge’s decision to declare Montgomery incompetent for trial. He said he also remains concerned that prosecutors have yet to classify the murder as an anti-transgender hate crime.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
Rehoboth Beach
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance
Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.
Thursday (9/3)
Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.
After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Friday (9/4)
The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Saturday (9/5)
The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.
Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.
Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.
Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.
Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.
Sunday (9/6)
Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.
Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.
John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.
Monday (9/7)
The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.
Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.
Maryland
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Conservative groups challenged system’s policy
By JESSICA CALEFATI | Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff cannot use transgender students’ preferred names if their parents oppose it, according to an internal document reviewed by the Banner, a change that comes after conservative groups challenged the school system’s approach to gender identity.
Teachers union president Kristina Korona told members in an Aug. 20 email that the new guidance undermines district policy on acceptance and inclusivity and “will begin harming affected students immediately.”
Previously, the district didn’t require parental permission to use a high school student’s chosen name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, the internal document says. Now it does. The change comes as parents challenge the suburban school system’s gender identity policy and regulation in court and the Trump-Vance administration threatens the district’s funding.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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