The 28-year-old man accused in the stabbing death of Stephan Manuel Pool will undergo further mental health treatment and tests before proceeding to trial.
At a hearing Monday, Judge John Johnson ruled that Leon Allen Smith could not be found mentally competent to stand trial at this time and needed further treatment.
Smith faces second-degree murder charges for Pool’s death in September 2012. According to police, Smith admitted to punching Pool in his car, but he didn’t believe he stabbed Pool. Later, Smith claimed ownership of the knife recovered at the scene.
The court-ordered screening to determine Smith’s mental competency was inconclusive. According to a report on his competency, examiners said Smith said he heard, “whispers and voices laughing and talking.”
“It has been going on since childhood, but I was ashamed to tell somebody,” Smith said, according to the report.
Smith also said he was admitted to the public mental health system, but no records indicate any such treatment. At times, he appeared unaware of the nature of the charges against him, the report stated.
A hearing is scheduled for June 20 at 2 p.m. to determine whether Smith’s mental health status has changed.
