Man Ruled Incompetent For Trial In Mother's Death
JACKSON (WWJ/AP) - A judge has ruled that a southern Michigan man is mentally incompetent to stand trial in the stabbing death of his mother.
Thursday's ruling by Jackson County District Judge Joseph Filip comes after a psychologist at the state Center for Forensic Psychiatry earlier made that determination about 19-year-old David Kellen Grow, who is accused of using a knife to kill his 49-year-old mother, Robin Grow, at their home in Concord on Feb. 20.
Prosecutors say Grow "brutally" stabbed his mother multiple times, although they would not publicly discuss a possible motive in the killing. Her husband found the body.
Citing the psychologist's report, Filip said Grow has "only the most rudimentary awareness" that he is charged with murdering his mother. Filip said the report described Grow as a "developmentally disabled individual who is only partially restituted from his first psychotic break."
"It is apparent he did not demonstrate a grasp of court procedures sufficient to defend himself against the most serious of charges," Flip read. "Poverty of thought content and cognitive confusion was evident."
At the request of the defense, Filip ordered Grow to be transferred to the state Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Washtenaw County where he would get treatment, professionals would regulate his medications and give him counseling.
The center will have 15 months to try to restore Grow to competency. Filip said there's "substantial probability" that Grow could be deemed competent for trial at a later date.
If Grow doesn't get to the point where he can stand trial, the charge against him will be dismissed and he would be retained in the center or another facility.
Court records show that Grow has an autism spectrum disorder and some history of mental illness.
MORE: 19-Year-Old Charged In Mother's Stabbing Death
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