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Becker's Lawyer Wants Trial By Jan. 30th

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Oct 12, 2009 at 1:13 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 10, 2010 at 6:36 PM CDT

ALLISON — Mark Becker, accused of fatally shooting Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas, waived his right to speedy trial last week in Butler County District Court.

Becker, 24, of Parkersburg, was found mentally competent to stand trial last week and an order was filed Thursday waiving his right to be tried within 90 days.

Second Judicial District Judge Stephen Carroll said after reviewing reports by two psychology experts, he believes Becker understands the first-degree murder charge against him, the court proceedings and can effectively assist in his defense.

Although examinations before Thomas’s shooting and since confirm Becker suffers from schizophrenia, including auditory hallucinations, he understands the charges against him “as well as any lay person new to the legal process can,” Carroll wrote.

Carroll also found that Becker’s auditory hallucinations haven’t interfered with his ability to communicate, and an increase in dosage of an antipsychotic medication has improved his condition.

No trial date is set at this time.

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