During reception court on Aug. 7, Ephrem Melekte, 33, did not appear after Judge Melissa K. Copeland waived his presence for treatment of an unspecified medical condition.
The case was referred to mental health court for an evaluation scheduled for Aug. 26 by defense attorney, Andre Mahasa. A placeholder hearing was set for Sept. 11 to determine next steps.
In order for a defendant to stand trial, he must have the mental ability to understand the charges against him and be able to help his attorney
Melekte is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder and the use of a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure for the death of Mekonen Habteselassie, 71, on Sept. 25, 2025 in the 1200 block of N. Patterson Park Avenue.
Detectives found Habteselassie’s badly decomposed body in an upstairs bedroom after friends requested a welfare check when they were unable to reach him.
According to charging documents, police said suspected blood was found throughout multiple rooms of the residence. A hammer was recovered near Habteslassie’s head, while a butcher knife was found nearby, say police.
The chief medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by stabbing.
According to investigators, Habteslassie shared the residence with Melekte and co-defendant Fasika Tsadik, 68, who is charged with the same offenses
Surveillance footage and witness statements, place the pair at the residence around the time of the killing. Detectives allege the video showed Melekte leaving the residence wearing a single glove after Habteselassie’s last known appearance. The glove was believed to conceal a hand injury sustained during the homicide.
Less than 45 minutes after Habteselassie’s last known contact, Melekte and Tsadik apparently left the residence, traveled to Washington D.C. before fleeing to New York City.
Whether Melekte’s case goes to trial depends on the results of his mental health evaluation.
