A judge has ruled that Douglas Obendorf can stand trial in Allen County. He received a competency exam from the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital and both attorneys agreed to the results. The report says Obendorf has a mental illness but is capable of understanding his case. He's been charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He's scheduled to be back in court in February.
A lot unfolded in court surrounding a Michigan man and a 2014 bank heist. Brian Matheny returned to Allen County Common Pleas Court where he was ruled competent to stand trial. Matheny had been getting treatment at the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital since 2015. After being deemed fit for trial, Matheny then decided to change his plea to guilty for aggravated robbery. Matheny held up the Chase Bank in Bluffton in October 2014, giving tellers a note that threatened an explosion if he wasn't given money.
A former Elida High School student will be continuing her court-ordered hospital treatment. Kenyada Jackson was ordered to continue treatment at Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital for two more years. She has been receiving treatment since late 2011. Jackson was found not guilty by reason of insanity of five charges, including aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse. She was charged in the stabbing death of her 4-year-old sister and attempted murder of her mother. With a doctor's recommendation and if both sides agree, the judge can also now rule without a hearing, on Jackson's privileges.
A Convoy man accused of rape will not be put on trial anytime soon. James Hershberger was found to not be competent to stand trial, but that his mental state may be restored enough to stand trial in one year's time. Hershberger was indicted in May on one count each of rape, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and sexual battery. He was facing a human trafficking charge when he was arrested in April before the grand jury indicted him on new charges.
A Lima man once deemed incompetent to stand trial for murder, is found to have been restored. Timothy Youngblood was found competent to stand trial today, before a full year of treatment at the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital. He was admitted in October and an evaluation in April reported he was restored. A second independent evaluation in July confirmed the first report. Youngblood will need another evaluation though as the defense planned to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
A former Elida High School student accused of murder is expected to see a few changes in the near future.
