Experts split on whether alleged ASH killer is competent to stand trial

Psychiatric experts are split on whether an Atascadero State Hospital patient is mentally competent to stand trial in the killing of his cellmate.

Adam Cary, 34, is charged with murder in the death of his roommate, Kevin Allan Turner, 53, of Washington state. Cary allegedly strangled Turner in a dorm room as Turner slept on May 28.

Proceedings in Cary’s case were suspended, however, when his defense attorney, Jim Royer, declared a doubt to Cary’s competence. After that, three psychiatric experts were appointed to evaluate Cary to determine if the defendant could understand the charges against him and assist in his defense.

The experts split on their conclusions. The results of those decisions, however, were not announced in open court.

Attorneys will meet on the matter again Sept. 8.

In a prior rape case, Cary was declared incompetent on multiple occasions.

He was most recently sent to Atascadero State Hospital after experiencing delusional behavior while in prison. In 2011, he was sent to prison for throwing a hammer at his brother while vandalizing his mother’s car.

This story was originally published August 25, 2014 at 6:30 PM.