Judge Finds Capital Murder Defendant Incompetent to Stand Trial

A Parker County judge signed an order finding a capital murder defendant incompetent to stand trial.

The defendant, Jacob Evans, is accused of killing his mother and sister in Aledo on Oct. 4, 2012 according to a press release. The ruling Monday was made after a court appointed forensic psychologist found that Evans was not competent to stand trial.

“We agreed to the incompetency finding and temporary commitment after reviewing the evaluation and conclusions reached by the court appointed psychologist,” said Assistant District Attorney Robert DuBoise.

Evans' attorneys filed a notice of intent to raise the insanity defense at trial, but that motion was not addressed Monday.

Last month, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that defendants convicted of capital murder committed when they are 17 years of age face life in prison with parole consideration after 40 years.

The release said that the highest criminal court in Texas declined to hear Evan's appeal on the ruling. Evans' attorneys filed a motion to reconsider the decision which is currently pending.

The order also committed Evans to no longer than 120 days in a maximum security state mental hospital.

“It is important to point out that this finding does not mean that Mr. Evans will not face trial on the capital murder charges," said DuBoise. "It just means that he will not face trial until the professionals at the North Texas State Hospital can assist him in regaining competency.”

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