Competency Exam Ordered For Shooting Spree Suspect
NOVI (WWJ/AP) - A judge has ordered a man charged in a shooting spree that targeted motorists in southeast Michigan to undergo forensic competency and criminal responsibility examinations.
It's an unusual case, since Novi District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie ordered the exam over the objections of Raulie Casteel's lawyers.
Wednesday's was the first in person court appearance for the 43-year-old Wixom man. His previous court appearances had come via a video link from jail.
Casteel is charged with 60 counts, including multiple counts of assault with intent to murder, in connection with shootings in Wixom and Oakland County's Commerce Township. He's also charged with six counts in a single case in Livingston County, where he's to appear for a court hearing later Wednesday.
Casteel's legal team waived the 14-day rule that would have provided them with a pre-trial conference within that time.
Authorities aid it was information they received over the last couple weeks, one of some 3,000 tips, that led them to Casteel's home on Monday — the day of his arrest. Livingston County Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth said Casteel was driving a vehicle that matched the description provided by one of the victims. They seized that, along with at least one weapon.
There have been two dozen shootings in four counties in October on or near Interstate 96. Authorities said the crime scene covered a 100-mile area. Only one person was injured.
No possible motive has been disclosed.
Defense attorneys have described their client as a married, college-educated man with no criminal history. They had no comment on Wednesday.
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