Judge: Dear incompetent to stand trial in Planned Parenthood shooting case
UPDATE: Robert Dear was once again deemed incompetent to stand trial Thursday morning. The judge in the case received a report on Dear’s condition from the state hospital on July 26.
The judge scheduled another hearing for November 17 at 9 a.m. Dear will be present at that hearing at the request of the prosecution.
Dear’s attorneys argued that requiring him to appear in court would hamper his treatment and possibly expose him to the media, which they say is not in his best interest.
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A judge will decide today if the self-proclaimed Planned Parenthood shooter, Robert Dear, is competent to stand trial.
Judge Gilbert Martinez will preside over the hearing. If he deems Dear has been restored to competency, he will go to trial. However, if he’s found incompetent he’ll remain at the state’s mental hospital in Pueblo and will have to be reevaluated in 90 days.
Depending on the decision, either side will be able to contest the decision. Dear is not expected to make an appearance in court today. His lawyer will appear in court on his behalf.
The last time Dear was in court was in May. It was days of lengthy court hearings, reviewing evidence and testimony from police and Dear’s doctors. It was at the May hearing where judge Martinez was in accordance with Dear’s doctors findings that Dear is incompetent and suffers from a delusional disorder, claiming he doesn’t have a factional or rational understanding of court proceedings against him.
Dear has made numerous outbursts and comments at previous court hearings, admitting guilt and claiming he’s been followed by the FBI for years.
Dear is accused of killing three people and injuring nine others in the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs last November.
Authorities said he admitted to the shooting, saying, “I am a warrior for the babies.”
The hearing begins at 9 a.m. KRDO will be in the courtroom and will have the full story on KRDO Newschannel 13 at noon.
