Suspect in gas station hammer attack ruled competent to stand trial
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The man accused of attempting to murder a Dover gas station clerk with a hammer last year has been ruled competent to stand trial. He will next undergo a sanity evaluation.
John McNutt, 40, back in January pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, felonious assault and aggravated robbery – all felonies. Those charges stem from a violent attack at the Speedway on North Wooster Avenue in December of last year. Police and prosecutor Ryan Styer described a brutal and bloody scene where the clerk fought for her life as she was hit in the head multiple times with a hammer. They said she is lucky to be alive.
She escaped the store, and a customer outside called police. Officers spotted McNutt walking away from the store and arrested him soon after.
Judge Elizabeth Thomakos in January ordered competency and sanity evaluations for McNutt. At Monday’s court hearing, Thomakos said McNutt completed the competency evaluation and is “presently capable of understanding the nature and objectives of the proceedings against him and is presently capable of assisting in his defense.”
McNutt appeared at Monday’s hearing by video from Heartland Behavioral HealthCare Clinic where he had been undergoing court-ordered treatment. He is listed as a Tuscarawas County Jail inmate being held on a $500,000 bond. Thomakos said future court dates are pending a sanity evaluation.