COURTLAND, Va. (WAVY) – The woman accused of killing a 10-year-old boy in a double shooting in Franklin in 2023 will undergo a sanity evaluation before trial.
Tashawnda Drayton, who goes by the rap name 23 BRAZY, appeared in Southampton County Circuit Court Thursday morning for a motions hearing. She’s facing charges including first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, attempted first-degree murder, shooting in public and three counts of discharging a firearm.
Following the Aug. 9 incident, Drayton went into hiding. She was located and arrested by U.S. Marshals in June of last year.
In court, her defense attorney requested an evaluation of her sanity at the time of the incident, which was granted.
He also successfully argued to be able to hire an investigator to help locate and speak with witnesses in the case. The judge said the court would cover up to $1,000 in costs, calling the move necessary and cost effective.
The court set a hearing date for May 5 to review the evaluation’s findings and move forward.
Drayton’s attorney also said he intends to file a motion for a change of venue on that date.