Competency Evaluation Ordered for Murder Suspect

An arraignment hearing was held Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan for a teenager charged with murder. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

District Court Judge John Fenn at Thursday’s hearing, ordered a mental competency evaluation for the defendant, 15-year-old Christian Torres, who is charged with  second degree murder for allegedly killing his father, 47-year-old Edgar “Eddie” Jones at a home in Dayton on July 27. Torres, at the hearing, stated to the Court that he has previously been hospitalized twice for mental health issues and he suffers from ADHD, severe depression and anxiety, all conditions that he’s currently taking medication for. The competency evaluation will be conducted by officials with the Wyoming State Hospital. Torres did not enter a plea at Thursday’s hearing. He will remain incarcerated at the Sheridan County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond.

Fenn also set a deadline of December 3 for any motions to be filed by either the prosecution or the defense, and a deadline of December 17 for either side to respond to any motions that may be filed by the December 3 deadline. According to court documents, Torres on July 27, allegedly shot and killed his father following an argument. Torres attempted to flee to Billings in his father’s truck, but crashed the vehicle near Hardin. Torres stated to a Montana State Trooper that he had killed his father in Dayton. A .40 caliber pistol was found at the scene of the crash in Montana. Second degree murder is punishable by not less than 20 years and up to life in prison and a fine of not more than $10,000.