There are new charges against Todd Walters today. The Indiana man charged with killing his mother four years ago is accused of attacking a fellow patient at Torrance State Hospital last week.
State police were called to the Derry Township hospital last Thursday night after Walters allegedly assaulted the victim “by surprise”, putting him a chokehold and causing a cut finger and muscle strain. Hospital attendants intervened to stop the attack.
In Indiana County, the 40-year-old Walters is charged with beating his mother to death in February of 2015. 72-year-old Ruth Shirey died hours after the early-morning attack in her home, and Walters was found driving her car in Altoona later that day.
Since his arrest, Walters has undergone a series of mental health evaluations and been involuntarily committed to Torrance State Hospital. He was finally determined to be fit to stand trial last June, and in September, his attorney filed notice that he will pursue an insanity defense. District Attorney Pat Dougherty will ask for a verdict of guilty, or guilty but mentally ill. In January, Judge William Martin ordered Walters back to Torrance to await a report from another defense mental health expert.
Police say Walters has refused to talk with them about last week’s incident without his attorney present. He’s charged with misdemeanor strangulation and simple assault, and summary harassment. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for this coming Monday morning before District Judge Mark Bilik in Derry.
