KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — A hearing will be held this morning to determine if Kalamazoo mass-shooting suspect Jason Dalton, 45, is competent to stand trial.
The state psychologists who examined Dalton believe he’s capable of understanding the proceedings and aiding in his own defense.
Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School professor Curt Benson said the hearing is about Dalton’s current state of mind — not his state of mind during the shooting rampage, where six were six were left dead.
Judge Tiffany Ankley has to decide under Michigan law whether Dalton is able to understand the nature of the proceedings against him and assist in his defense. Psychiatrists who have examined him say he is competent.
Dalton’s mental state at the time of the shooting spree is a separate matter that involves proving he did not know right from wrong during the actual crimes. That’s an insanity defense, which may or may not be pursued in this case.
Dalton claimed during four hours of interrogation that “a devil figure” appeared in his Uber app and took over his body and mind two months ago, but it went away when he was pulled over by law enforcement and arrested.
The defense attorney has filed a motion to have those interrogation tapes transcribed and may move to have some of Dalton’s comments suppressed.
