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Competency trial continues for accused Daytona Beach murderer
A man accused of murdering a Daytona Beach couple during Bike Week last year is incompetent to stand trial based on statements from defense attorneys.Jean Macean was brought to court Tuesday morning from a state hospital where staff says he no longer has to stay there.Basically, the judge in the case is giving defense attorneys another three weeks to confer with their own experts on whether Macean is competent to move forward and stand trial on two counts of first-degree murder.“This is a very, very all-inclusive report and does find the defendant competent to proceed at this time,” the prosecutor said.Prosecutors accept the report issued by staff at a state hospital about the mental health of accused killer Macean. It reads in part, “The treatment staff are of the opinion that this resident is competent to proceed and no longer meets criteria for continued involuntary commitment.”Macean, of Orlando, allegedly rode a bus to Daytona Beach during Bike Week 2022. Police say he was seen on surveillance video in the city and on March 6, followed Terry and Brenda Aultman as the local couple rode bicycles home from festivities on Main Street. Investigators say, without provocation, Macean attacked them, repeatedly stabbing them. In February, Macean was found incompetent due to mental health issues, including schizophrenia, and hospitalized, but staff now says his competency is restored.“We would ask for more time to have Mr. Macean meet their own experts,” the defense stated.Defense attorneys asked for more time, June and July, to have Macean examined again by their own experts rather than relying on the hospital report. Judge Elizabeth Blackburn weighed in.“I’m not inclined to postpone the issue of competency until July given what time has already passed and the contents of this report,” Blackburn said. The judge compromised with a June 23 date, giving the defense until then to have Macean seen by their own doctors.At that June hearing, the defense will tell the court whether they are challenging competency or ready to move forward toward trial. Macean is facing a possible death sentence if convicted in the murders.
A man accused of murdering a Daytona Beach couple during Bike Week last year is incompetent to stand trial based on statements from defense attorneys.
Jean Macean was brought to court Tuesday morning from a state hospital where staff says he no longer has to stay there.
Basically, the judge in the case is giving defense attorneys another three weeks to confer with their own experts on whether Macean is competent to move forward and stand trial on two counts of first-degree murder.
“This is a very, very all-inclusive report and does find the defendant competent to proceed at this time,” the prosecutor said.
Prosecutors accept the report issued by staff at a state hospital about the mental health of accused killer Macean. It reads in part, “The treatment staff are of the opinion that this resident is competent to proceed and no longer meets criteria for continued involuntary commitment.”
Macean, of Orlando, allegedly rode a bus to Daytona Beach during Bike Week 2022. Police say he was seen on surveillance video in the city and on March 6, followed Terry and Brenda Aultman as the local couple rode bicycles home from festivities on Main Street. Investigators say, without provocation, Macean attacked them, repeatedly stabbing them. In February, Macean was found incompetent due to mental health issues, including schizophrenia, and hospitalized, but staff now says his competency is restored.
“We would ask for more time to have Mr. Macean meet their own experts,” the defense stated.
Defense attorneys asked for more time, June and July, to have Macean examined again by their own experts rather than relying on the hospital report. Judge Elizabeth Blackburn weighed in.
“I’m not inclined to postpone the issue of competency until July given what time has already passed and the contents of this report,” Blackburn said.
The judge compromised with a June 23 date, giving the defense until then to have Macean seen by their own doctors.
At that June hearing, the defense will tell the court whether they are challenging competency or ready to move forward toward trial. Macean is facing a possible death sentence if convicted in the murders.
