STILLWATER, Okla. - A Payne County judge had ruled that the OSU homecoming parade crash suspect, Adacia Chambers, is fit for trial.
JUST NOW: Payne Co. Judge rules that Adacia Chambers is fit for trial. Prelim set for April. @KJRH2HD
— Darcy Jackson (@DJacksonKJRH) December 10, 2015
Chambers, 25, is charged with four counts of second-degree murder and 46 counts of assault and battery. Prosecutors say she drove into a crowd of people near the end of the Oct. 24 parade.
It took a month for the Oklahoma Forensic Center to complete their psychological evaluation on Chambers. But even with Thursday’s ruling, Chambers' competency could come up again.
Adacia Chambers sat inside the Payne County courtroom Thursday afternoon as the court discussed whether she understood the nature of her charges. Attorney Tony Coleman says she is doing well.
“About as good as anyone can be expected to under those conditions,” said Coleman.
Along with the ruling, the defense was granted the ability to revisit the question of competency at any time before trial proceedings begin, which is a key move as attorneys wait to see what prosecutors have in store.
Recently a Payne County judge partially lifted a gag order in November that originally prohibited family members from discussing the case. Associate District Judge Luis Duel rescinded a part of the gag order prohibiting families and parties to the case from discussing it. However, he said documents regarding the physical or mental health of defendant Adacia Chambers will remain sealed.
Duel went on say that the reason for the gag order was to insure a fair and impartial trial.
Before the gag order was issued, Chambers’ attorney filed a report from a forensic psychologist that included details of Chambers mental state.
SPECIAL SECTION: Latest information and past stories on the homecoming parade crash
As to our knowledge, a judge ordered a psychological evaluation of Chambers but has not officially taken judicial notice of the evaluation Chambers’ attorney filed with the Payne County Clerk.
As it stands right now, Chambers won't be due back in court until April 7. Both sides will meet in February to determine what will be presented in court on that day in Stillwater.
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