Reynaud Cook | Homicide Watch DC

Reynaud Cook Found Competent to Stand Trial, Pleads Innocent to Yolanda Stone Murder

Megan Arellano — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:40:07 -0400

Although mental health evaluators recommend that Reynaud Cook continue to receive psychiatric treatments, they have concluded that he is competent to stand trial for the murder of 30-year-old Yolanda Stone.

Cook, 29, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder, first and second-degree cruelty to children, contempt and weapons charges in connection with the February 2012 shooting death of Stone. Cook pleaded innocent to all charges.

Prosecutors allege that in late February 2012 Cook shot Stone several times in front of their children. Stone died from her injuries on May 20, 2012, and a medical examiner pronounced her death a homicide a day later.

Cook spent nearly a year on the run until he was arrested in Pennsylvania after allegedly phoning 911 and claiming that he saw men with guns and bombs. Shortly after his arrest, a D.C. magistrate judge ordered Cook to undergo a mental observation hearing to determine whether he is competent to continue with criminal proceedings. After that hearing, Cook's defense attorney, Daniel Quillin, requested a full competency evaluation.

Teresa Grant, the psychologist who evaluated Cook, wrote in her August 19 report that at first Cook "appeared to be exaggerating cognitive deficits." But as time progressed, "his level of engagement markedly improved," Grant wrote.

Grant's report also mentions two separate occasions when Cook was admitted to St. Elizabeths hospital: once in 2007 and once in 2009. After the 2007 evaluation he was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Psychotic Disorder. In 2009 Cook was diagnosed with Psychotic Disorder and Cannabis Dependence.

Grant concluded in her report, though, that Cook's "cognitive, mental health and substance abuse factors did not compromise his ability to demonstrate a factual or rational understanding of his criminal proceedings." However, she wrote, "he should continue to receive psychiatric treatment at the detention center to ensure that he remains competent to stand trial."

The case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing September 13.

The full report is below.

Raynaud Cook Mental Health Evaluation Report (PDF)Raynaud Cook Mental Health Evaluation Report (Text)

Reynaud Cook Uncooperative with Evaluators, Full Competency Exam Ordered

Ivan Natividad — Fri, 31 May 2013 21:06:24 -0400

A full mental health evaluation has been ordered for Reynaud Cook, accused of shooting and killing Yolanda Stone last year.

Cook, 29, was scheduled to undergo a "forensic screening exam" at D.C. Superior Court twice in the last two days; court documents say that he "refused to participate and cooperate" with the evaluator.

Teresa Grant, the psychologist assigned to evaluate Cook, wrote in a letter sent to the court Friday:

[Cook] informed the evaluator that his attorney, Mr. James Whitehead from the Public Defender Service had instructed him to exercise his rights not to speak to anyone. He denied that Mr. Quillan was his assigned attorney. Mr. Cook stated, "I work with Mr. Whitehead. . .he breaks it all down for me like baby food so I can understand what is going on." The defendant stated that he was supposed to be in "traffic court" and released from custody. He reiterated several times that he was "not sure what was going on." The evaluator attempted to engage the defendant and asked several times if he would be willing to participate in a competency screening evaluation. Mr. Cook continued to reiterate that he was instructed by PDS to maintain his silence.

Cook's assigned Public Defender, Daniel Quillin, said Friday that Cook has past and recent medical issues and asked Judge Morin to order a full competency evaluation for his client.

"Mr. Cook has an extensive history of mental issues, and yesterday he appeared to have a seizure and fainting spell," Quillin said. "I've filed for a medical alert on his behalf."

Court records indicate that Cook was rushed from the courthouse to the hospital this week before he appeared before a judge. On Friday he was ordered back to DC Jail.

Police say Cook shot Stone several times in front of their children Feb. 15, 2012; Stone died from her injuries three months later.

Cook was arrested in Pennsylvania last week after eluding police for over a year.

Charging documents say Cook was arrested after repeatedly calling police claiming that he saw men with guns and bombs. While in custody, Cook told police he was under the influence of bath salts.

The letter from the evaluator is below.

Reynaud Cook Letter From Mental Health Evaluator (PDF)Reynaud Cook Letter From Mental Health Evaluator (Text)

Reynaud Cook Set to Undergo Mental Observation Screening in Connection with Yolanda Stone Murder

Penny Ray — Wed, 29 May 2013 18:15:18 -0400

After eluding police for almost a year, Reynaud Cook appeared in custody at DC Superior Court Wednesday on murder and assault charges in connection with the 2012 shooting death of 30-year-old Yolanda Stone.

Judge Karen Howze ordered him held pending a preliminary hearing and scheduled a mental observation hearing for Thursday to determine whether Cook is competent to continue with criminal proceedings.

Cook, 29, was arrested in Pennsylvania last week after repeatedly phoning 911 and claiming that he saw men with guns and bombs, according to charging documents. At the time of his arrest, Cook used two different aliases and attempted to flee from police after he was told that he was under arrest for false identification to law enforcement.

Later, while in custody, Cook told police he was under the influence of bath salts, arrest documents say.

Stone died May 20, 2012, approximately three months after she was shot multiple times in front of their children; charging documents name Cook as the shooter. Stone's family members say she was a victim of domestic abuse.

Cook is also charged in connection with the July 2007 shooting death of Nacarto Gladden.

Arrest documents are below.

Reynaud Cook Arrested in Pennsylvania; Wanted for Yolanda Stone's Death

Chris Amico — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:38:54 -0400

A year after Yolando Stone's death, the man accused of killing her is in custody in Pennsylvania. Reynaud Cook, accused of shooting Stone in front of their children, has been arrested near State College, Penn.

"We are so thankful that he has been caught," Stone's sister, Desirae Ross said Monday evening. "The healing process can now begin. It's been a long time coming and he deserves to pay for what he did to my sister and to his own children."

"Yolanda died exactly one year ago on May 20, 2012," Yalonda Dunschee, a friend of the family, said. "So you can only imagine how happy we are."

Police say Cook shot Stone on Feb. 15, 2012, in front of their children. She'd gone to his home to pick them up after school. Stone survived for three months, but eventually succumbed.

Cook was indicted in June of last year but failed to appear for an arraignment.

Stone's sister, Desirae Ross, and three children left the D.C. area after Cook disappeared. "We just want Cook off the streets," Ross said.

Cook is due in court Wednesday in Pennsylvania, and U.S. Marshalls have told local police to keep him in jail, MyFoxDC's Paul Wagner reports:

Cook was actually arrested twice in the last ten days after he was first seen running in and out of traffic and trying to take down streets signs in Patton Township, Pa., and then again this past Friday when he called 911 to report seeing guns and bombs at a building in town.

At first, Cook used an alias and refused to be fingerprinted before police successfully got the prints and made a positive I.D.

In his booking photo released by Pennsylvania authorities, Cook looks quite different from the photo police released in 2012.

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'As Long As He's On the Streets, I'll Never Come Back to D.C.,' Sister Says of Yolanda Stone's Alleged Killer

Penny Ray — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:33:32 -0400

One year has passed since the death of Yolanda Stone, and her suspected killer remains on the run. It is not uncommon for a homicide case to remain open because an arrest has not been made, but Stone's case is different; her alleged killer is her ex-boyfriend, Reynaud Cook, and he has been on the run ever since he allegedly shot Stone several times in front of their children Feb. 15, 2012.

Stone later died from her injuries on May 20, 2012; a medical examiner pronounced her death a homicide a day later.

In the year since, Stone’s sister, Desirae Ross, and Stone’s three children have left the D.C. area. She says her family fears returning to the District with Cook at large.

“We just want Cook off the streets,” Ross said.

She says she’d like to return, but “as long as he’s on the streets, I’ll never come back to D.C.,” Ross said.

Reynard Cook, in an MPD photograph.

Although Cook has yet to be apprehended, a grand jury indicted him on charges of first-degree murder, first- and second-degree cruelty to children, contempt and weapons charges in connection with the case. A bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The case continues to be investigated; Metropolitan Police Detective Dwayne Partman took over investigation of the case after the previous detective, Monica Shields, retired in November. Partman said that he is currently working leads as to where Cook may be. He would not comment on whether he believed Cook to be in D.C.

Ross believes that Cook remains in the area.

“Somebody out there knows where he is,” Ross said.

Ross said Stone and Cook’s relationship lasted for nearly nine years. Stone “never really talked about the relationship,” she said.

But Ross said she later learned of a pattern of domestic abuse. Stone told her sister in June 2011 Cook had physically abused her after an incident that landed Stone in a battered women’s shelter. Cook fled the home before police arrived.

Police took Stone to the battered woman's shelter and she stayed there for a month and a half. She then decided to leave Cook, and a restraining order was issued against him, Ross said.

After Stone left the woman's shelter she went to live with Ross; the only contact Stone had with Cook was when they spoke about their children. And when Stone dropped the kids off at their father's house, she wouldn't get out of the car, Ross said.

Stone's refusal to have face-to-face contact frustrated Cook, so he began following her home from work. Security guards escorted Stone to her car each evening and Cook eventually stopped, Ross said.

It was confusion over a restraining order, though, that shattered their uneasy standoff.

On Feb. 15, 2012, Neval Thomas Elementary School called Cook and asked him to pick up one of the children, who was sick. Stone had forgotten to give school officials a copy of the restraining order against Cook, because it was filed during the summer when school wasn’t in session, Ross said. School officials released the child to Cook.

Cook called Stone and told her that he had their child. Stone then picked up her daughter and nephew, and went to Cook's house.

Neighbors say there was an argument outside and then they heard gunshots, Ross said.

Stone was found seriously wounded by police responding to the gunshots. She was taken to a hospital where she survived until her death approximately three months later.

MPD says "anyone who has knowledge of this case, knows the suspect’s location or sees him should take no action, but should immediately call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia."

Reynaud Cook Not Present for Arraignment

Laura Amico — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:24:11 -0400

Reynard Cook was not present at was to be his arraignment Thursday at DC Superior Court on charges related to the shooting death of his girlfriend.

Cook, 28, was indicted by the grand jury in June.

Prosecutors say he shot his girlfriend, Yolanda Stone, Feb. 15. She died about a month later.

A bench warrant for Cook remains in effect.

Reynaud Cook Charged in Shooting of Yolanda Stone

Laura Amico — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:54:57 -0400

A man wanted by DC police on suspicion of fatally shooting his girlfriend has been indicted by a grand jury.

The suspect, Reynaud Cook, remains at large, the US Attorney's Office said Thursday evening. Cook has previously been identified as Reynard Cook.

Cook is charged with shooting Yolanda Stone on Feb. 15. She died on May 20.

The indictment charges Cook with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children, weapons offenses, and contempt of court for violating a civil protection order.

If convicted, he could face a life sentence, a statement from the US Attorney's Office said.

District Man Indicted on Murder and Other Charges
In Slaying of Woman in Northeast Washington
- Attack Took Place in February 2012, Defendant Remains at Large -

WASHINGTON - Reynaud Cook, 28, of Washington, D.C., was indicted today on murder and other charges stemming from a shooting that led to the death of a woman in Northeast Washington earlier this year, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

A grand jury returned the indictment in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, charging Cook with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children, weapons offenses, and contempt of court for violating a civil protection order. If convicted, Cook faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

According to the government’s evidence, on Feb. 15, 2012, at about 7:20 p.m., the victim, Yolanda Stone, 30, drove to the 3300 block of Alden Place NE to pick up one of her children that she had in common with Cook. Ms. Stone had previously obtained a civil protection order requiring Cook to stay 100 feet away from her. When Ms. Stone, along with two other minor children, arrived to pick up the child, she parked her truck in the middle of the street.

Cook allegedly approached Ms. Stone while she was near her vehicle, argued with her, and pulled a weapon. Ms. Stone attempted to run away. Within a few feet of the truck, and in the presence of the three children, Cook shot her in the head and in multiple places in her body.

Cook then fled the scene, abandoning the children. On May 20, 2012, Ms. Stone died as a result of the gunshot wounds. Cook remains at large. Anyone having information about his whereabouts should call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Wright.

Read the indictment below.

Reynard Cook indictment (PDF)Reynard Cook indictment (Text)

Reynaud Cook's Mother Begs him to Turn Himself In

Laura Amico — Sat, 26 May 2012 18:02:57 -0400

Reynard Cook's mother spoke with Fox5 this week, urging her son to turn himself in. Police say he shot his ex-girlfriend in February. The ex-girlfriend, Yolanda Stone, died this week.

Watch Fox5's report below.