Woodbridge Cab Driver Charged with Killing Cop Is Ruled Incompetent for Trial

The Woodbridge man accused of shooting Alexandria police officer Peter Laboy has again been declared incompetent and has been remanded to a state hospital for treatment.

The ruling Monday was only the latest court-determined change in the mental status of Kashif Bashir, who was charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer in the shooting last year. A trial could proceed if and when a judge rules him competent again.

In July last year, he was ruled unfit for trial after defense attorneys said he suffered from auditory hallucinations and other mental health issues. In January, he was ruled competent.

On Monday, though, over the objections of prosecutors, Judge James C. Clark concluded that further treatment was necessary for Bashir, The Washington Post reported.

Anita Boss, a forensic psychologist, testified Monday that Bashir was having issues communicating with his defense attorney. The attorney, Emily Beckman, also told the court that her client’s mental health had deteriorated since he left Central State Hospital for the local jail, the paper reported. 

Bashir is accused of shooting Laboy on Feb. 27, 2013, when the officer pulled over the Alexandria Yellow Cab Bashir was driving near Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy in Old Town.

Laboy has returned home and is continuing his recovery.