A deadline is approaching in the Todd Walters homicide case, as prosecutors and the defense prepare for trial. Don’t expect a trial anytime soon, though, as Walters’ new attorney gets up to speed.
The 39-year-old Walters is charged in the beating death of his mother, 72-year-old Ruth Shirey, in 2015 at her home on Diamond Avenue in Indiana. Since his arrest on the same day as Shirey’s death, he has undergone numerous mental health evaluations and competency hearings, resulting in several involuntary committals to Torrance State Hospital. His current committal was first ordered in January of last year.
On June 11th, Judge William Martin ordered the staff at Torrance State Hospital to prepare a report on Walters’ competency to stand trial, and to have it ready within sixty days, which would be this Saturday. As the case proceeds, they must provide a new report every sixty days.
Last month, Martin granted the request of attorneys Leonard Ambrose III, Taylor Johnson, and Thomas Johnson to withdraw as Walters’ attorneys and appointed attorney Gary Knaresboro to represent him. Yesterday, Martin ordered the Torrance report to be forwarded to Knaresboro, and with District Attorney Patrick Dougherty.
The D.A. has until Friday to provide Knaresboro with the evidence against Walters, which will set in motion the next series of pretrial events. No trial date has been set.