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Further competency exams due defendant

LISBON — The defense attorney for Todd A. Kirtley, the 31-year-old Lisbon man accused of several crimes including assaulting an East Palestine police officer in April, asked for a second mental evaluation for his client.

Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton granted the request, although the court recently received an evaluation from the Forensics Center.

Defense attorney Paul Conn said in the limited time he has spent with Kirtley he finds him erratic and prone to outbursts. He questions if Kirtley is currently able to assist in his own defense and asked for both sanity and competency evaluations.

Bickerton gave Conn a few days to submit information about who would be performing the evaluation and the cost, because Kirtley has court-appointed counsel.

In one of the cases against him, Kirtley is charged with assault, obstructing official business, domestic violence, aggravated menacing and resisting arrest. On April 6, Kirtley allegedly threatened to harm East Palestine patrolman Matt Elser, stopping him from doing his duties and then assaulting him. Additionally, Kirtley allegedly assaulted a family member, Darla Stanley, on the same day, which was what led to Elser responding to the home.

The assault on Elser eventually led to the officer firing his gun at Kirtley in an attempt to stop him.

In another case, Kirtley is charged with trespassing in a habitation, assault and resisting arrest. Those charges stem from Jan. 31 when Kirtley allegedly trespassed into the home of Pam and Jeff Ebert, North Market Street, on the same day he reportedly harmed Jonathon W. Gullett by punching him in the nose. Later he was chased by Lisbon officers, interfering with attempts by police to arrest him, until after he was eventually tased.

The next hearing for Kirtley is scheduled for Sept. 16.

djohnson@mojonews.com

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