There is major movement in the often-delayed criminal homicide trial of Todd Walters, the Indiana man accused of beating his mother to death in February of 2015.
Judge William Martin on Monday ruled that Walters is now competent to stand trial and all previous stays of Walters’ case are vacated, setting in motion a schedule of future court actions.
The 39-year-old Walters is charged in the death of 72-year-old Ruth Shirey at her home on Diamond Avenue in Indiana. Since his arrest on the same day as his mother’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.
Among Judge Martin’s rulings on Monday, a request for a bill of particulars, if deemed necessary by the attorneys involved, is due on June 20th. Also, if Walters’ attorney intends to file a notice of defense of insanity or mental infirmity, it must be done no later than July 13th, the same date on which an omnibus pretrial motion must be filed. A hearing on that motion would be scheduled for August 10th.
Martin ordered Walters to remain in treatment at Torrance State Hospital in order to maintain his competency. The Torrance staff will review Walters’ status and inform the court of its findings as needed but no less than every sixty days. The judge also denied a defense motion for diversion and civil commitment.
Walters is charged with criminal homicide and aggravated assault.
