Charles N. Sargent, accused of the gruesome slashing death of trans woman Diamond Williams, continues to seek his freedom.
Sargent, 46, allegedly stabbed to death Williams in July 2013, after a sexual encounter. Sargent claims Williams demanded payment for oral sex, which Sargent refused to pay.
According to Sargent, Williams became violent and he stabbed her to death in self-defense. Later, he dismembered Williams’ corpse with an ax and deposited her body parts in a nearby vacant lot in Strawberry Mansion.
He’s accused of murder, abuse of a corpse and related offenses.
According to published reports, Sargent had prior violent encounters with trans women in Philadelphia. But the alleged encounters weren’t reported until after Williams’ death.
Last month, Sargent filed a petition with the court, seeking his freedom. The petition is entitled “Justification Summary to Exonerate My Burden.”
The petition indicates that Sargent continues to believe his actions were justified, and that he should be released from incarceration.
The petition also cites numerous biblical passages, and claims to be sealed with the “holy spirit.”
In prior filings, Sargent asked to be released on the basis that he’s been denied his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial.
A recurring theme in Sargent’s filings is that his actions with respect to Williams were justified under the circumstances. In one filing, Sargent indicated he’d like to speak with Williams if such an opportunity could be possible.
As of presstime, Sargent’s request for freedom remained pending with Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Lillian H. Ransom.
In December, Ransom permitted Sargent to act as his own attorney at an upcoming jury trial. She did so, even though Sargent acknowledged being diagnosed with schizophrenia that wasn’t being treated with medication.
But in February, Ransom ordered a competency evaluation for Sargent. As a result, jury selection, which was scheduled for March 14, has been postponed indefinitely.
This week, Shawn Hawes, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Prison System, said she didn’t know whether Sargent has been evaluated for competency.
“I wouldn’t have access to that information,” Hawes said.
But Hawes confirmed that Sargent remains in custody at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
As of presstime, court records indicate that Sargent hasn’t received a competency evaluation.
Cameron Kline, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, was asked if prosecutors have a position on Sargent’s competency.
“[S]ince this is an ongoing case it’s not appropriate to respond,” Kline said in an email.
In December, Ransom assigned a standby attorney, J. Michael Farrell, to assist Sargent, should he stand trial for murder. But last month, Farrell was indicted in Baltimore for allegedly conspiring to launder drug proceeds in a major drug-trafficking operation.
Farrell, 63, of Wenonah, N.J., was arraigned Feb. 12 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Md. He pleaded not guilty to 12 counts, including conspiracy, money laundering, tampering with an official proceeding and witness tampering.
Farrell remains free, but it’s unclear if he’ll be permitted to serve as Sargent’s standby attorney if a trial is held.
Farrell didn’t respond to a request for comment for this story.