Edwards to oudergo psychiatric evaluation
Fayette County will foot the estimated $2,000 bill for a psychologist to examine alleged killer Mark D. Edwards Jr. Judge Ralph C. Warman has agreed to a motion presented on Edwards’ behalf by attorney Dianne Zerega, who was appointed to represent Edwards in the death penalty phase of his trial.
Edwards, 20, of Uniontown is accused of killing Larry and Joanna Bobish, their daughter, Krystal, and her unborn son last April 14. Additionally, state police allege that Edwards shot and then cut the throat of Larry Bobish Jr. before setting the house on fire.
The younger Bobish escaped the burning house and was found by a state police corporal, who was delivering papers with his sons.
District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon is seeking a first-degree murder conviction against Edwards. If she is successful, jurors will then decide if he should be sentenced to death or life in prison.
Zerega asked for the examination to determine Edwards’ competency. If he is found to have an IQ less than 70, he cannot be executed, under a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Zerega said she intended to use a doctor from Pittsburgh to perform the evaluation.
Before approving the expenditure, Warman asked if any other county judge had ever approved an order for $2,000 for a psychologist in a criminal case.
Zerega said Judge Gerald R. Solomon approved one for $1,500 in a juvenile case.
Zerega said Martone was the least expensive person she could find, noting that the cheapest psychiatrist in Fayette charged $8,500, and that person wasn’t competent to handle a death penalty case. Zerega also said she did not feel anyone in Fayette was competent to handle a death penalty case.
Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Kovach objected to the motion. She did not provide a reason for the objection, but she added that Vernon had asked her to object.
“If you are going to object, you have to have a reason,” Warman told her.
Zerega said the final bill could be more than the estimated $2,000, but she won’t know further until the evaluation is complete.