After a court hearing on Friday to assess Stephen Marlow’s competency—or lack thereof—to stand trial, his future remained unknown.
Marlow, 42, is charged of shooting four neighbors in August 2022 in Butler Township, including a high school girl and her mother, a veteran, and his spouse.
Since January of this year, he has been confined to Cincinnati’s Summit Behavioral Healthcare, where he is receiving treatment for delusional problems.
During Friday morning’s hearing, Marlow sat calmly at the defendant’s desk, taking notes and talking to his counsel intermittently as prosecutors and defense lawyers made their cases before Montgomery County Judge Dennis Adkins.
The two sides debated whether the court should seek civil commitment or continuous judicial jurisdiction in the case, as well as whether Marlow’s competency could be restored within the one-year statutory term.
Although Summit forensic psychologist Dr. April Sutton concluded in a May report that Marlow had regained her capacity to function despite her ongoing delusions, she has since asserted that this is not the case.
According to Sutton’s most recent assessment of Marlow, despite medication modifications, the defendant’s condition worsened between May and November, and she now believes he is not competent to stand trial.
During Friday’s hearing, Sutton added that she doesn’t think Marlow can be made competent again in the allotted year, which ends no later than January 17.
According to Sutton, Marlow’s delusions lingered and even grew worse despite ongoing therapy at Summit, which included group sessions and antipsychotic drugs.
The expiration date of Marlow’s one-year therapy window is likewise unknown.
The time to restore should be prolonged for a year, according to the prosecution, because Marlow has not been completely compliant with his treatment plan, sometimes refusing to attend competency restoration groups and individual psychotherapy as advised by his treatment team.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.