COLDWATER, MI. — McCain Snyder could soon be freed from multiple charges, including two counts of attempted murder for allegedly striking David Sluyter, 81, and his wife Jill, 77, with his truck on June 10, 2024.
Before the court dismisses charges, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Nora Geiger wants a second opinion on Snyder’s sanity at the time of the crime.
Geiger told the Branch County Commission she expects to spend $10,000 for the second opinion.
Doctors at the Ypsilanti State Forensic Center found Snyder competent to stand trial last December.In March, a doctor at the same center found Snyder “not criminally responsible” at the time of the alleged acts.
In Michigan, a finding of “not criminally responsible” requires a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity unless contrary evidence is presented.
Defense attorney Lisa Hannah and the prosecutor’s office signed a stipulation for a second evaluation.
Geiger said, “Based on the serious nature of the offenses and public safety concerns, we would like a second opinion.”
Through the Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Geiger found an Arizona psychiatrist who estimated he would need up to 30 hours of work at $300 per hour to complete the evaluation.
Geiger said additional funds may be needed if the psychiatrist is called to testify.
Probate Judge Kirk Kashian signed an order for the second evaluation in March.
If both evaluations agree, the defense would request a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity.
What then?
If declared not guilty by reason of insanity, the court must commit Snyder to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry for a diagnostic period of up to 60 days.
The CFP evaluates the person’s current mental condition to determine possible civil commitment as a “person requiring treatment” or a danger to himself or others. If not, he would be released.
Geiger wrote in a memo to the commission, “The treatment could be shorter in duration or a lifetime, depending on the ultimate diagnosis and treatment.”
If opinions differ
If the second doctor’s opinion differs, the case goes to a jury trial, where jurors would weigh the competing expert opinions alongside the evidence.
The jury could find Snyder not criminally responsible, sending him to a state hospital under the same not guilty by reason of insanity process.
Alternatively, the jury could find him criminally responsible and return a guilty or not guilty verdict.
The Branch County Prosecutor filed three separate cases against Snyder based on incidents over four days in June 2024.
According to probable cause affidavits, Snyder became obsessed with the Sluyters’ granddaughter, believing she had been raped by her grandparents and another man — allegations she denied.
Attempted murder case
Prosecutors allege Snyder ran down the Sluyters near their Kinderhook Township home. He faces two attempted murder counts carrying life sentences and two five-year felonies for leaving the scene of a serious injury crash.
Stalking cases
Court documents state Snyder sent threatening text messages to the girl and a 23-year-old man, including claims he would kill the man with a sword.
Police reports say Snyder later went to the man’s home carrying a sword but left when Coldwater police arrived.
Prosecutors charged Snyder with three counts of aggravated stalking, use of a computer to commit a crime, and malicious use of a telecommunications device.
In a separate case, Snyder is charged with aggravated stalking of the girl, with prosecutors alleging the threatening messages caused her serious emotional distress.
Snyder has been held on a $10 million bond since his June 2024 arrest.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Prosecutor seeks second psychiatric evaluation in Snyder case
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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