District Attorney Candice Hooper said she did not have an
opinion on the justification of the ruling to send accused child
killer Cheryl L. Busch to a mental hospital because the suspect has
been deemed incompetent to stand trial.
”
No, we just have to wait until they send her back,
”
said Hooper, who is handling the case for the prosecution.
”
She was evaluated, and that’s what the experts say.
”
District Attorney Candice Hooper said she did not have an opinion on the justification of the ruling to send accused child killer Cheryl L. Busch to a mental hospital because the suspect has been deemed incompetent to stand trial.
“No, we just have to wait until they send her back,” said Hooper, who is handling the case for the prosecution. “She was evaluated, and that’s what the experts say.”
Regarding her stay at a mental hospital, Hooper explained that doctors initially will figure out if she needs medication. She then will go on to take part in trial competence classes.
“They try to get her leveled out on medication,” Hooper said.
Hooper stressed how there is no standard for how long such patients can remain at a mental hospital while a court matter is delayed. It will depend on how she responds to the medication and classes, the district attorney said.
Busch has pleaded not guilty to homicide and other related charges for the suspected shooting death in November 2008 of her 19-month-old daughter Donna Busch at their property in the 2300 block of Shore Road.
A judge last week followed a doctor’s recommendation to send Busch to a state mental hospital, where she will stay indefinitely until doctors say she is competent to stand trial and fully understands the proceedings.
Look for the full story in the Free Lance on Tuesday.
