UPDATE: Judge denies therapist request for St. Johns boy
FLAGSTAFF — A judge has denied a defense motion to appoint a therapist for a 9-year-old St. Johns boy charged in the deaths of his father and another man.
The boy’s attorney says his client wants someone to talk with for emotional support.
Apache County Superior Court Judge Michael Roca raised concerns about the initial request from attorney Benjamin Brewer and ordered it amended. The request would have kept the therapist from having to testify about her exchanges with the boy.
Brewer complied, but Roca says in an order that his concerns were only superficially addressed. Brewer said Thursday he’ll try again.
The boy faces two counts of premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 shootings of his father and a co-worker who rented a room in their home.
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St. Johns boy incompetent to stand trial, psychologist says
ST. JOHNS – A psychologist who evaluated a 9-year-old St. Johns boy charged in the deaths of his father and another man has determined the boy is incompetent to stand trial.
The expert nominated by the defense also found the boy can’t be restored to competency within the time frame allowed by law.
So says the boy’s attorney, Benjamin Brewer.
Age and intelligence are among the factors Brewer says would keep the boy from understanding the two counts of premeditated murder he’s facing.
The defense report wasn’t made public, but a court document briefly mentioned it.
As the case of the boy moves into the new year, the looming question is whether the boy will be found competent to stand trial.
An expert nominated by prosecutors conducted a separate evaluation of the boy last week.