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Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
Former Law student deemed fit for trial
Thomas Himes
Former Law student Joseph Cho, accused of trying to kill his neighbors last January, was again found mentally competent to stand trial yesterday.
Cho allegedly discharged 15 shots into the door of his neighbors' apartment in January 2007. The neighbors were two male Drexel University students who Cho believed were spies.
Cho was initially found competent to stand trial this January following more than a year of court-ordered mental-health care at Norristown State hospital.
Peter Bowers, Cho's attorney, petitioned the court for a second psychiatric evaluation at the beginning of this month.
Following the evaluation, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Marshall Neifield ruled that Cho is still competent to stand trial.
Prosecutors would not speculate on Cho's mental health yesterday.
"I really have no idea what makes Mr. Cho act in a certain way," Assistant District Attorney Melissa Francis wrote in an e-mail. "I only know what the doctor told us - that he's competent for a preliminary."
Neifield ordered that Cho appear for a preliminary hearing at the Criminal Justice Center on May 5.
The preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.
Cho allegedly discharged 15 shots into the door of his neighbors' apartment in January 2007. The neighbors were two male Drexel University students who Cho believed were spies.
Cho was initially found competent to stand trial this January following more than a year of court-ordered mental-health care at Norristown State hospital.
Peter Bowers, Cho's attorney, petitioned the court for a second psychiatric evaluation at the beginning of this month.
Following the evaluation, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Marshall Neifield ruled that Cho is still competent to stand trial.
Prosecutors would not speculate on Cho's mental health yesterday.
"I really have no idea what makes Mr. Cho act in a certain way," Assistant District Attorney Melissa Francis wrote in an e-mail. "I only know what the doctor told us - that he's competent for a preliminary."
Neifield ordered that Cho appear for a preliminary hearing at the Criminal Justice Center on May 5.
The preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.
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