Competency Evaluation Ordered for Sheridan Man Charged With Multiple Crimes

A mental competency evaluation for John Kirkpatrick was ordered by Fourth Judicial District Court Judge John Fenn at a hearing Thursday in District Court in Sheridan. The hearing was supposed to be to address a petition filed by the State to revoke Kirkpatrick’s bond, but the Court determined that Kirkpatrick needed to be evaluated by the Wyoming State Hospital for competency before proceeding with the case.

Kirkpatrick was arrested and charged with the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Battery, Domestic Battery and Reckless Driving for an incident that occurred at a residence in Sheridan County on February 23. At an arraignment hearing in April, Kirkpatrick pleaded “not guilty” to all of the charges.

Due to the time it typically takes for the State Hospital to conduct a competency evaluation, the Court vacated and continued the dates for the trial and pretrial conference. A hearing will be held to determine how to proceed once the findings from the evaluation are submitted to the Court from the State Hospital. Aggravated Assault and Battery is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Domestic Battery and Reckless Driving are misdemeanors that each carry a sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $750.