Massachusetts teenager charged with first-degree murder in father's death ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment
DEDHAM - A teenager arrested Friday and charged with killing his father in Sharon late last year has been ordered to undergo treatment at a psychiatric hospital.
Lucas Larson, 17, of Sharon, was arraigned in Norfolk District Court Friday afternoon. He was not allowed to be filmed in court because he's a minor.
The court called clinical psychologist John Keough to the stand, who said Larson was not competent to be arraigned. Keough has been evaluating Larson over the past few months.
"He did not demonstrate the capacities that, typically, we associate with competency," said Keough. "Mainly an understanding or awareness of what is happening. The process that he's facing in a trial or an ability to communicate effectively or work with his attorney towards a defense."
The judge ordered Larson held without bail and to undergo further treatment at Worcester Recovery Center Adolescent Unit.
Larson's 62-year-old father, Brad Larson, was found dead in his home on Deerfield Road back on Nov. 2. It's still not clear how he died. At the time, police called it an "apparent homicide" and would only say Larson had an "obvious injury." They were also looking for surveillance video from neighbors hoping to generate leads in the case.
Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Larson has been hospitalized and getting psychiatric treatment since his father was found dead.
Brad Larson was the former president of the Sharon Historical Society.
"Brad Larson was a well-known and much respected member of the Sharon community," Sharon Police Chief Stephen Coffey said in a statement. "The Sharon police will continue working with the District Attorney's office as the case now moves through the court system. As a department, we offer our sincere condolences to Brad Larson's family and the many residents touched by his death."
Larson's mother and other family members left the courthouse Friday refusing to comment.
"We're going to have no comment at this time. You heard what the doctor said, we're going to go from there," said defense attorney Scott Murphy outside court.
Larson is due back in court later this month for a competency hearing.