A rare set of court proceedings has provided a public glimpse into the case of a St. Thomas man accused of attacking two relatives with a knife in Hull Bay. Mohammed Salem has been ordered to stand trial in connection with the murder of his father on March 5 and an assault on his brother that same day.
The second of two motion hearings took place in Superior Court Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Denise Francois. The subject of the hearings was Salem’s mental health.
Salem is accused of entering the family home in Hull Bay and fatally stabbing his father, Hakim Salem, with a hidden knife. When his brother, Jamil Salem, tried to defend the father, the defendant allegedly turned the knife on him.
He was arrested by police at Hull Bay Beach after fleeing the home and is being held at the John Bell Correctional Facility on $1 million bail. The defendant is charged with murder, assault with intent to commit murder, domestic violence and use of a dangerous weapon by a felon.
At the first motions hearing held on Sept. 24, the lawyer representing Salem said because her client faced criminal charges, any mental health concerns had to be aired in open court.
Almost all matters involving the mental health of defendants are handled confidentially in the Superior Court Family Division. “Attorney Godfrey informed the court that she is concerned about the defendant because he is deteriorating and it’s very concerning,” the judge said, according to court documents.
Salem’s lawyer said she is seeking a court order for involuntary commitment based on the doctor’s recommendation. At the hearing held Sept. 24, Public Defender Lisa Godfrey cited a recent report by St. Croix psychiatrist Dr. Evadney Sang.
“Dr. Sang is of the opinion that Mr. Salem’s status has declined, that we need to pursue proper placement,” Godfrey said. Francois told Godfrey and Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Weddle the court had received Sang’s report and placed it under seal to guard the information.
The hearing was then postponed until Oct. 29, but the judge added she wanted more details from the psychiatrist before taking action. Francois said the issues raised at the two hearings presented “an extreme circumstance,” and she may convene a competency hearing once Sang provides the requested information.
Weddle told the court that he forwarded the required documents to Sang about filing a Petition for Involuntary Commitment according to 19 V.I.C. 1027 (B) but so far had heard no response.
If involuntary commitment is ordered, the court would also oversee a transfer of custody from the Bureau of Corrections to the Health Department, which would take responsibility for Salem’s placement in an off-island mental facility.
Jury selection for Salem’s murder trial is scheduled for July 28, 2025.
