Standoff suspect restored to competency, will now undergo sanity evaluation
NEW PHILADELHPIA (WJER) (July 19, 2022) – The Bolivar-area man accused of shooting at officers during a standoff at his home more than a year ago is now competent to stand trial but his state of mind at the time remains in question.
Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Elizabeth Thomakos made the finding about 69-year-old Donald Whiting Monday afternoon, basing it on a report from a psychologist at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare.
“That Mr. Whiting has the present mental condition of unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders but also the doctor’s position with reasonable medical certainty that despite the present mental condition, Mr. Whiting is able to understand the nature and objective of the proceedings against him and assist in his own defense.”
Whiting was indicted for attempted murder and felonious assault for the standoff at his Russell Drive Northwest home last May. He’s also charged with fleeing and eluding for the chase afterward that ended when he crashed his truck on state Route 800.
Whiting appeared for Monday’s hearing by video Heartland, where he’s been receiving inpatient treatment. Thomakos sent him there after a different psychologist determined he wasn’t competent to stand trial at the time but was “restorable.”
Whiting will now undergo another evaluation to determine if he was sane during the alleged crimes.