Competency Issues Could 'Possibly' Play Role in Lululemon Trial

Update, 10:10 a.m.: Competency issues could "possibly" play a role at Brittany Norwood's eight-day trial, scheduled for Oct. 24, according to her attorney, Douglas Wood.

Norwood is charged with killing her co-worker Jayna Murray at Bethesda's Lululemon shop March 11.

Wood and Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy—who is personally trying the high-profile case—appeared in Montgomery County Circuit Court Friday morning for a pre-trial hearing. Norwood also appeared in a beige jumpsuit. She didn't speak except to murmur "morning" when Circuit Court Judge Robert A. Greenberg addressed her.

The court date was set to discuss "housekeeping" issues, including deadlines for filing motions.

After the hearing, Wood told reporters the defense's investigation was continuing and that they were looking into Norwood's background. When asked about the potential for Norwood to negotiate a possible plea deal, Wood said "you always keep an open mind" but that Norwood's defense team was "absolutely" preparing for trial.

Norwood has pleaded not guilty, Wood said. She is "maintaining" in jail and has been visited by family, Wood said.

"I think she's doing pretty well, and certainly the detention center has made great efforts to make her as comfortable as possible," Wood said.

At the hearing, McCarthy discussed evidence and information that may be introduced by the state at trial, including blood spatter analysis, fingerprint evidence, shoeprint analysis, DNA evidence, and information from a rape specialist and the medical examiner.

McCarthy alleged at Norwood's March bond review hearing that Norwood wore a pair of size 14 shoes kept in the store and tracked through Murray's blood in an attempt to make it appear as though the two women had been attacked. He also alleged that Norwood told investigators she and Murray had been raped, though there was no evidence to support that, he said. Norwood, McCarthy said in March, told "detailed and pathological" lies to investigators.

McCarthy said at Friday's hearing that the state has handed over more than 1100 pages of discovery—evidence from the state's case against Norwood for the defense to examine—including crime scene photographs, 16 CDs, and statements. Some of the discovery is still outstanding, McCarthy said.

Both sides agreed that Norwood's defense would provide written notification of the experts the defense plans to call by Aug. 19.

Greenberg asked Wood in court whether there were "competency or responsibility" issues, to which Wood replied, "Possibly."

In a court filing, McCarthy requested notification should Norwood's defense choose to argue that Norwood is not criminally responsibly by reason of insanity.

The defense has filed a motion to supress some evidence, according to Norwood's case file, but it's not clear which evidence the defense may seek to suppress. A motions hearing is set for Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m.

This post has been updated.

Original post: The woman accused of killing her co-worker at Bethesda's Lululemon shop March 11 is set for a pre-trial hearing in Montgomery County Circuit Court Friday.

Brittany Norwood, 29, iswith killing her co-worker Jayna Murray, 30. Prosecutors have said Norwood to make it appear as though the two women had been attacked.

The hearing is set to begin at 9 a.m. It's unclear whether Norwood will appear. She is scheduled to face trial in October.

Stay tuned to Patch for updates as the story develops.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified Brittany Norwood's attorney, Douglas Wood. We regret the error.