JEFFERSON COUNTY (WITI) – The court has requested a second competency examination for a Watertown man – accused in a murder involving a sword.
29-year-old Young Choi has been charged with one count of first degree intentional homicide in the case.
On June 19th, Watertown police were called by a 24-year-old man living in an apartment at Yanger’s Bar in Watertown. That man reported a man on the second floor was attacking someone with a sword.
The caller reported being injured on the hand by the sword-yielding man, but that a second victim on the second floor was more seriously injured.
Upon police arrival, a suspect was found at the top of a stairwell leading to the second floor.
Initially, Watertown police officers on scene spoke to the suspect, who refused to surrender. The Watertown Police Department's Entry Team was called to the scene along with a trained negotiator to speak with the suspect. The negotiator was able to get the suspect to cooperate -- and the suspect surrendered himself to officers on scene.
Watertown police officers located the second seriously injured victim in a room on the second floor. The second victim was identified as a 27- ear-old male resident of Yanger's boarding house. His injuries included stab wounds and lacerations, and he was critically injured when discovered by police.
Both injured victims were transported to UW Health Partners - Watertown Regional Medical Center by the Watertown Fire Department for treatment.
The 24-year-old victim with the hand injury received medical treatment and was released. The 27-year-old victim was treated, but ultimately died as a result of the injuries received in the attack.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the suspect's room and recovered two sword-type weapons, along with additional items of evidence.
In court on Friday, August 8th, Young Choi told the court he has not received a competency examination – saying his meeting with a doctor in jail wasn’t an examination.
Choi told the court he is competent to proceed with trial.
Choi’s attorney told the court Choi is competent – but Choi said he wants the court to rely on what he is saying regarding his competency.
Choi requested a “correct evaluation” – saying he wants to be examined in a facility outside the jail.
The court ordered a second competency examination for Choi – to be performed at the jail within 30 days.
Choi was then ordered removed from the videoconferencing room – as he was apparently making verbal outbursts.
Choi’s attorney was appointed as standby counsel – as the court has ruled that Choi must be deemed competent before he can waive his rights to counsel.
Court officials are now awaiting the return of Choi’s second competency examination.
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