Attorney Questions Alleged Cop Killer’s Mental State
A young man accused of murdering a capital city police officer makes his first court appearance.
And his attorney is already raising questions about whether the suspect is competent to stand trial.
During a brief court appearance late Monday morning, Latwan Smith’s attorney entered a “not guilty” plea on his behalf.
His attorney, Public Defender Alison Kelly says Smith appeared to be delusional and paranoid in court.
Kelly plans to request a mental evaluation to determine if Smith is competent to stand trial for the shooting death of rookie Jackson police officer Glen Agee.
Agee died at UMC Friday night from a gun shot wound to his face.
Agee had just joined the force in June, but he has been in law enforcement for years.
Agee and another officer were taking Smith to the Hinds County jail in Raymond.
Smith escaped from the patrol car by opening the back door.
One of the officers lowered the rear window after Smith complained he couldn’t breathe.
Smith took off running toward a wooded area behind the Sonic drive in on Highway 18 and
County Farm Road.
Agee ran after him.
Investigators say both men ended up in a small drainage canal filled with five feet of water.
Authorities tell us the officer struggled with Smith, and at some point his service revolver went off hitting him once in the face.
Investigators have not yet found the gun.
Smith is charged with capital murder. If convicted he could face the death penalty.
http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/news/local/article/attorney_questions_alleged_cop_killers_mental_stat e/180715/
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