A Columbus Township man accused of killing his former boss has been declared incompetent to stand trial, at least in the foreseeable future.
William Channer Jr., 32, reportedly shot and killed Logan Welch at Trims Unlimited in Almont on Nov. 5. He has since been charged with first-degree murder.
In February, however, Channer’s defense attorney filed a notice of intent to offer insanity as a defense. That led to Channer being examined by the Center for Forensic Psychiatry which determined in April he was not competent to stand trial.
An order filed by Circuit Court Judge Michael Nolan indicated Channer was classified as “restorable,” meaning he could be found competent in the future after receiving treatment, allowing the case against him to proceed.
“I’ve handled insanity cases before, and I fully expect this one to proceed,” Lapeer County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul Walton said on the order.
Channer reportedly sought out Welch at the Trims Unlimited building days after he was terminated. He then reportedly fled the scene and was pursued by police in a chase that reached up to 120 mph. After the chase he was shot and injured by Lapeer County deputies, then taken into custody.
Walton said the court will receive reports on Channer’s treatment once a month until the Center for Forensic Psychiatry determines he is determined competent to stand trial. The case is effectively on pause until then.
Under Michigan law a person arguing insanity as a defense must prove they “lacked the substantial capacity either to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his or her conduct or to conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the law,” according to Michigan Code 768.36.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Columbus Twp. man found incompetent to stand trial in Almont slaying
Reporting by Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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