Eau Claire (WQOW)- An elderly man accused of hitting and killing a bicyclist will have to wait to hear if the court thinks he's competent to stand trial.
Archie Van Wormer did not appear in court on Friday, but his lawyer spoke on his behalf. Van Wormer, who is 90, is charged with homicide by negligent driving for the June crash. A police investigation shows he wasn't wearing his prescription glasses when it happened. According to the district attorney, Van Wormer took a competency test that found he was competent. Because of the serious charges against him, Van Wormer's defense attorney asked that another test be given to him.
"The initial competency evaluation was completed. The doctor found Mr. Van Wormer is competent," Eau Claire County District Attorney Brian Wright explains. "However, Mr. Van Wormer's attorney has asked that there be a second competency evaluation just to make sure."
The judge ruled that second competency test had to be completed by October 11th. That's when Van Wormer's next court hearing is scheduled.
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Eau Claire (WQOW) - A judge orders a second competency test in a local homicide case.
Archie Van Wormer, 90, is charged with homicide by negligent driving for a June crash that killed bicyclist Kirk Cartwright.
On Friday, a judge heard the results of Van Wormer's competency test. That test showed Van Wormer is minimally competent because of memory issues.
His lawyer argued Van Wormer should be given a second, more expensive test that takes into account memory loss. The judge agreed. Van Wormer must take the test before October 11. On that day, the judge and lawyers for both sides will meet again to decide Van Wormer's competency.
Van Wormer was not in court for the Friday hearing.
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Eau Claire (WQOW)- The elderly man charged with hitting and killing a bicyclist in Eau Claire, was back in court Thursday.
A judge ordered that Archie Van Wormer undergo an evaluation to determine if he's competent to stand trial. The judge also found that there's enough evidence for the case to proceed. Van Wormer, who is 90-years-old, is charged with homicide by negligent driving for the June crash.
A police investigation shows he wasn't wearing his prescription glasses when it happened.
