Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – Judge P. Randall Knece is considering a second psychiatric evaluation for Trevor A. Teets, who was found competent to stand trial in June in the shooting death of Alicia M. Pentecost-Salyers.
At a motion hearing held Friday in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court, Knece said he would take the matter under consideration and render a decision, but no timeframe was given for that decision.
Dr. Kevin J. Edwards, PhD, the Netcare psychiatrist who originally evaluated Teets for competency, was the only witness called during Friday’s hearing. He was questioned about the information he used to complete the evaluation, the number of times he met with Teets, his knowledge of a list of four medications currently prescribed to Teets, along with his determination about Teets’ mental competency.
Specifically, Edwards testified the original evaluation concluded Teets did not suffer from mental illness or mental retardation, and that he understood the charges against him, could assist in his own defense and understood the objective of the proceedings.
He also was questioned about standards for competency evaluations and if the conclusions could be different in a second evaluation.
“They could be,” Edwards replied.
Despite an objection from Judy Wolford, Pickaway County Prosecutor, Edwards was asked his opinion on whether Teets should receive a second evaluation on his competency to stand trial.
“Nobody’s perfect,” Edwards said. “It’s very important, and I wouldn’t rule one out.”
The results of the first evaluation were brought into question at a competency hearing June 17 when Teets’ attorney, Jo Kaiser, requested a second independent evaluation at the county’s expense.
When Knece asked at that time why she was making the request, Kaiser replied, “We don’t approve of the results.”
Teets, 20, is charged with murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and domestic violence in the death of 19-year-old Salyers shortly after 2 p.m. Feb. 1 at his apartment at 129 Caroline Ct., Circleville.
He has been held on a $2 million bond in the Pickaway County Jail since his arrest. He was indicted Feb. 6 by the Pickaway County Grand Jury.
Teets originally pleaded not guilty to the charges at an arraignment Feb. 11. Kaiser then filed a motion March 13 to request a competency hearing. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity April 8, when the Netcare evaluation was ordered, and he was declared competent to stand trial June 17.
If convicted of murder, Teets faces 15 years to life behind bars and a $15,000 fine.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
