Judge: Hospital finds suspect in sheriff death competent
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A judge in West Virginia says he'll allow defense attorneys to decide whether to challenge a hospital's findings that a man accused of fatally shooting a sheriff in 2013 is competent.
The Herald-Dispatch reports Cabell County Circuit Judge Paul Farrell held a brief preliminary hearing Thursday to discuss the findings by a state-run psychiatric facility that show Tennis Melvin Maynard is fit to stand trial.
Farrell says defense attorneys can contest the findings and request a full hearing. Defense attorney Rich Weston says no decision has been made.
Police say Maynard shot Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum in April 2013 in downtown Williamson.