Indianapolis News and Headlines

Actions

Ky. correctional psyciatrist says man accused of fatally stabbing 6-yr-old competent to stand trial

Posted at 10:28 PM, Sep 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-27 23:38:23-04

VERSAILLES, Ky. -- An Indianapolis man charged with killing a 6-year-old Kentucky boy earlier this year is competent to stand trial, according to a correctional center psychiatrist. 

Ronald Exantus, 32, appeared in court Tuesday for his competency hearing, nearly 10 months after police say he killed Logan Tipton. 

Exantus is charged with murder and first degree burglary. Police say he broke into the family's Woodford County, Kentucky home and fatally stabbed Logan Tipton in the head while he slept.

Police reports also say Exantus injured the kindergartners' two sisters. Their father was able to hold Exantus down until police arrived. 

Exantus underwent a psychiatric evaluation earlier this year.

ABC 36 in Lexington reports that Dr. Amy Trivette, with the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center testified on Tuesday that Exantus was competent to stand trial.

Family of Logan Tipton attended the court hearing.

Exantus' attorney Bridgette Hofler told ABC 36 that she believes Exantus had some type of psychotic break and that medical professionals could not explain why. She also said she was not confident in the results of the competency hearing. 

The competency hearing is set to continue on November 2. 

 

RELATED| Ronald Exantus' lawyer: Client has mental condition | Indianapolis man arrested after child fatallly stabbed in Kentucky | Prosecutor seeking death penalty for man charged with killing Kentucky 6-year-old | Funeral for Kentucky boy allegedly killed by Indianapolis man scheduled for Friday