KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Nearly a year after being found incompetent to stand trial, a Galesburg man accused of murder will now face charges next month.
That’s according to MLive, who reported the update Wednesday.
Previously, 33-year-old Joshua Wessel of Galesburg had been arrested last year in the June 2017 death of 71-year-old Ron French. French was found dead not long after being reported missing. His body had been found in Wakeshma Township.
At that time, Wessel was found with French’s 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. Wessel was charged with unlawfully driving away a vehicle, but no further links between the two had been announced.
In July 2020, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s office confirmed that Wessel had been arrested in the French case. He was later found incompetent for trial, prompting a psychiatric evaluation.
The murder is thought to have occurred after an argument between Wessel and French. Wessel is accused of dragging French with his own truck before discarding the remains.
County Prosecutor Jeff Getting had previously said some of the evidence against Wessel includes bloody clothing and blankets that were found in the stolen truck.
On Wednesday, MLive reported that Wessel has now been deemed competent for trial after receiving treatment.
Wessel is currently held without bond. His next court appearance will take place on October 13.
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