Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – The man accused in the shooting death of his former girlfriend in February was found competent to stand trial for the crime, but his attorney requested a second opinion at his competency hearing on Wednesday.
Trevor A. Teets, 20, is charged with murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and domestic violence in the death of 19-year-old Alicia M. Pentecost-Salyers shortly after 2 p.m. Feb. 1 at his apartment at 129 Caroline Ct., Circleville.
Jo Kaiser, his attorney, spoke Wednesday in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court requesting an independent evaluation at the county’s expense to protect her client’s constitutional rights.
Judge P. Randall Knece explained the court used Netcare Forensic Center in Columbus for the evaluation, an agency the court has used for 20 years, and no one had ever claimed they were not an “independent” source.
When questioned as to why she was making the request, Kaiser replied, “We don’t approve of the results.”
“I can’t help that,” Knece said, and a jury trial was set for July 13.
Knece told Kaiser if she intended to pursue a second evaluation, she would have to make the request in writing to allow the State of Ohio time to respond. At that time, he would take the matter under advisement.
Teets 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.
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
