Judge Michael Stepka ruled on Friday, Aug. 22 that Walmart stabbing suspect Bradford James Gille is incompetent to stand trial now but may have his competency restored later after undergoing court-ordered treatment.
Gille, 42, has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism for the July 26 attack that wounded 11 people at a Traverse City area Walmart. He has a $1 million bond.
Dr. Jay Witherell, a forensic psychologist and the director of evaluation services at the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry, said he interviewed Gille for two hours and described him as having a “psychotic thought process.”
Witherell believes Gille is unable to assist in his defense at this time. Stepka ordered Gille to remain at the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry and to continue his treatment.
Earlier this month, Gille attended a hearing in which the court granted a petition for mental health treatment for 180 days.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Judge: Suspect in Traverse City Walmart stabbings not competent to stand trial for now
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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