Man deemed competent for murder trial - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Man deemed competent for murder trial

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FORT WAYNE -

An Indiana man who was turned away by a state mental hospital after he was charged with killing an 85-year-old man inside the victim's garage has been found competent to stand trial.

Allen County Judge John Surbeck said Friday that while 35-year-old Joseph Kast's beliefs may seem strange, that is not necessarily a mental defect.

The Journal Gazette reports five mental health experts said Kast was paranoid and delusional, but four said he still was able to assist in his case.

Surbeck ordered Kast into a mental hospital in 2011, but the hospital refused to accept him until he served a previous murder sentence. Kast was serving a 55-year prison term when he was charged with the second killing.

His trial is set for September in Fort Wayne.

Information from: The Journal Gazette

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