Kalamazoo shooting suspect to have competency hearing
|
Version 0 of 1. A judge on Thursday granted a request for a competency exam for a man charged with killing six people during a series of random shootings in south-western Michigan. The review of Jason Dalton’s mental health will delay the criminal case for at least two months. Dalton, 45, is charged with murder and attempted murder for the 20 February attacks. Police say he fatally shot four people outside a restaurant and a father and son at a car dealership in between driving people for Uber. Two people survived the shootings. Online court records show the issue of a mental competency exam came up during an informal conference involving defense attorney Eusebio Solis, a prosecutor and a Kalamazoo County district court judge. The meeting was not open to the public. The exam means a hearing scheduled for 10 March to determine if there is enough evidence to send Dalton to trial is postponed. The case will be reviewed again on 10 May. Dalton did not know the victims. Investigators have not disclosed a motive, although they have said Dalton has admitted his role in the shootings. Solis has declined comment since his appointment as defense attorney last week. |