SAN ANGELO, TX – 340th District Judge Jay Weatherby denied a request today to reduce the bond for 30-year-old Thomas Riddle, who has been charged with murder.
Defense attorney Brandon Hudson requested the court order North Texas State Hospital’s Vernon Campus to take Riddle immediately. According to court documents, Riddle is to be further evaluated and treated to determine if he is competent enough to stand trial. Riddle is currently number 46 on the waiting list for a bed at Vernon. Riddle will be evaluated at the state mental hospital once a bed becomes available.
Hudson made the request to take Riddle as a patient immediately, as his condition is thought to be deteriorating the longer he stays in the Tom Green County Jail.
Weatherby told the defense and prosecutors that he would explore options for Riddle’s treatment.
Riddle is charged with murder in the fatal beating of 58-year-old Jerry Don Barr, his mother's boyfriend at the time, at a south San Angelo apartment complex last March.
Hudson told the court that he expects Riddle to be declared insane at the time the crime was committed. Furthermore, Hudson plans on entering a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Weatherby said he will contact the attorneys once he explores options for Riddle’s placement and treatment.
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