KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — The man accused of killing six people and seriously wounding two others during a series of shootings in Kalamazoo two months ago has been deemed competent to stand trial.
Jason Dalton, 45, appeared bearded and unkempt in front of Judge Tiffany Ankley on Friday. He said nothing and only nodded when acknowledged by the judge.
Ankley, after reviewing the report from the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, deemed Dalton capable of understanding the proceedings, the possible penalties of the 16 felonies he’s accused of committing and aiding in his own defense.
The report assessed Dalton’s current state of mind, not his state of mind on Feb. 20.
A motion to transcribe the statements Dalton made during his interrogation was deferred until the completion of his preliminary examination, which has been scheduled for May 20 at 9 a.m. On that date, it will be determined whether there’s enough evidence to take the case to trial.
It was Dalton’s first physical appearance in public since being arrested. During his arraignment in February, Dalton appeared through a video hook-up from jail. He’s been undergoing the competency examination in Saline since March.
Dalton has been charged with six counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and eight gun felonies.
Prosecutors say he first shot and wounded 25-year-old Tiana Carruthers at a townhome complex northeast of Kalamazoo. Carruthers, who was reportedly shielding four children when Dalton allegedly opened fire, suffered serious injuries. She has since returned home, where her recovery is ongoing.
Dalton is then accused of shooting and killing 53-year-old Richard Smith and his son, 17-year-old Tyler Smith, as they shopped for cars at a Kia dealership on Stadium Drive.
Later, four were killed in the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel in Texas Township. 14-year-old Abigail Kopf, who was shot in the head, squeezed her mother’s hand after being pronounced deceased. She was released from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids earlier this week and is now home in Battle Creek.
During his interrogation, Dalton, an Uber driver, told investigators his Uber app had full control over him that night. He said the ride-share service’s logo looked like a horned cow or the devil and told police he didn’t remember the shootings or aiming at anyone, but did remember the sound of his gun going off.
– John McNeill contributed to this story
