Psych evaluations ordered for man accused of murdering neighbor
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Jan. 5, 2023) – The case against the city man accused of fatally stabbing his neighbor during a violent home invasion last fall is on hold until he’s assessed by a psychologist.
Corey Harshey will undergo sanity and competency evaluations after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity to counts of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and aggravated burglary. Judge Michael Ernest ordered the evaluations Tuesday during Harshey’s arraignment in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court and scheduled a conference with the attorneys on January 21st.
“It’s usually about this time I would indicate we would be using that hearing to schedule a final pretrial, a status conference, and a jury trial but I can’t tell you that in this case because of the requests that were made by your counsel. We’re going to have to see what happens as a result of those requests.”
Harshey remains in the county jail on the $500,000 cash surety bond set during his initial appearance in New Philadelphia Municipal Court. Ernest extended it at the request of Assistant Prosecutor Fred Scott after hearing no objections from Harshey or his attorney.
“In light of the fact that you’ve been there since November, I’m guessing there is not a bail bondsman… but if that were to change we would not only want to address the amount of bail but the terms and conditions of your release.”
The neighbor, 44-year-old Nathan Green, was reportedly stable following the October 28th attack at his First Drive Northeast apartment but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The charges against Harshey carry repeat violent offender specifications that increase the potential penalties if he’s convicted.