Zeisloft
LIMA — A Lima man was found competent to stand trial Tuesday in the Allen County Common Pleas Court in a case dealing with felonious assault.
Judge Jeffrey Reed reviewed the report from Anthoney Zeisloft’s psychiatric evaluation which said he was competent for trial.
The hearing was held due to Zeisloft changing his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity and his attorney, Stephen Chamberlain of the Allen County Public Defender’s Office, filing a motion suggesting incompetency to stand trial.
A jury trial is set to begin Sept. 17, but due to a previous motion to suppress filed by Chamberlain, the trial might be pushed back so a suppression hearing can be held first.
According to court documents, the charges stemmed from a May 13 incident when Zeisloft, 19, assaulted and stabbed his stepfather in the face, inner bicep and shoulder. He also kicked his mother twice during the struggle.
When he was arrested, officers observed fresh and dry blood on Zeisloft’s hands, upper torso and head. The house where the incident allegedly occurred had blood stains in the kitchen, living room and carport. Officers found a knife on the floor of the living room with the handle separated from the blade.
In an interview with police, Zeisloft said he began hearing voices that day and was playing video games when he blacked out. When he became aware again, he was on top of his stepfather, stabbing him and chanting “Mother Russia.” He said he was in and out of awareness afterward, but when he was aware he then fled the residence.
Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.
