Judge to rule on suspect’s competence to stand trial
After receiving a psychologist’s evaluation that states homicide suspect Torey Vaughn Peterson is competent to stand trial for the Jan. 11, 2002, shooting death of William Eric Mason, a Fayette County judge said Tuesday that he would rule on Peterson’s competency be the end of the week. Defense attorney David Kaiser presented the evaluation report to Judge Stephen Leskinen at a brief hearing Tuesday.
Leskinen said he needed time to review the case before ruling on Peterson’s competency to stand trial because the most recent testimony in the case was given during an October 2002 motions hearing.
He said Tuesday’s hearing was scheduled to give the Fayette County District Attorney’s office an opportunity to object to the evaluation if it stated that Peterson was not competent to stand trial.
However, the psychologist’s evaluation stated the suspect is competent and District Attorney Nancy Vernon said she did not object to the report being submitted as evidence.
Kaiser also asked the judge to rule on a pre-trial motion about whether a statement Peterson made to police was given voluntarily or involuntarily.
Leskinen said it will be up to the trial jury to determine whether or not the statement was voluntary.
Vernon said the trial is scheduled to begin next month.
State police arrested Peterson, 22, of 210 Main St., Allison for shooting Mason, 23, of Jefferson during a fight in Apartment 1605 in the Hunters Ridge housing project in Redstone Township.
Police said Mason arrived at the apartment around 4 a.m. and started yelling at Peterson and several other people there.
Peterson told police that Mason repeatedly tried to draw a gun from his pants, but the weapon fell to the floor. There was a struggle, but Peterson said he gained control of the 45-caliber handgun and shot Mason even though Mason still had a hand on the gun.
Mason died from a single gunshot to the head.
Peterson called police shortly after the incident and turned himself in. He also led police to where he had hidden the weapon.