The outcome of Patrick Slider's competency evaluation recently ordered in Athens County could have an impact on the man's January criminal trial in Washington County, attorneys said.
Slider, 44, of Little Hocking, is accused of robbing a Coolville bank, leaving fake bombs at two post offices and faking his death to avoid prosecution on drug charges in Washington County.
Slider was set to stand trial Tuesday in Athens County for the July 29 robbery and pipe bomb incidents, but his attorneys filed a motion asking for him to be evaluated by mental health experts.
Slider faces 59 years in prison if convicted of all charges in Athens County. He faces another 80 years if convicted in the Washington County drug trafficking case. That trial is set to begin Jan. 12, but it could be affected by the recent incompetency suggestion, said Washington County Prosecutor Jim Schneider.
"It will be interesting to see what happens with the evaluation," Schneider said. "If he is found to be incompetent over there, I'm sure the same will apply here. But if some psychologist says that at the time of the bank robbery (Slider) was suffering some mental defect and couldn't tell right from wrong, I would argue that would have no effect on our case. He might have had a mental defect at that time, but it wouldn't mean he did when he was dealing or stealing drugs."
Slider's attorney in the Washington County case, George Cosenza, said he was unaware attorneys representing his client in Athens County were going to attempt an insanity defense.
"I've not been in contact with his lawyers over there. The first I heard about it was last night (Tuesday) on the TV," Cosenza said. "(Requesting a competency evaluation) is something we will consider, but I can't say for sure it is something we will do."
Generally, court-ordered mental evaluations take 30 to 60 days to be completed.
Schneider said sometimes defense attorneys request such a hearing to delay the start of a trial.
"Sometimes it is a legitimate concern and an attorney needs to make the request to protect himself and his client," he said. "But sometimes it is a ploy to delay a trial when a continuance might not be granted."
