WARREN Judge rules suspect is competent

Trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection Aug. 27.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A killer who is facing additional murder charges has been found competent to stand trial.
Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court said Monday that after reviewing reports from three psychologists he believes Stanley Adams understands the charges and is capable of assisting in his defense.
Judge Kontos said all the psychologists agreed that Adams is competent.
Evaluation: The judge noted that he, the prosecution and defense attorneys each selected an expert to evaluate Adams.
The psychologists each interviewed Adams separately, then submitted a report to the court.
Attorneys for both sides received copies of the reports. Judge Kontos said the reports were sealed and would not be made public.
Adams is facing charges of aggravated murder in the deaths of Esther Cook, 43, and her 12-year-old daughter, Ashley. Their bodies were found Oct. 11, 1999, inside their Dickey Avenue home.
The charges carry specifications that the killings occurred in conjunction with other crimes. Adams also is charged with three counts of rape and one count each of kidnapping and aggravated burglary.
If convicted, he faces the death penalty.
His trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection Aug. 27. Court officials said it will take about 10 days to seat a jury and about two weeks to present the evidence.
Attire: The judge Monday also granted a motion stating that Adams, who is being held in the county jail, will be allowed to wear a suit instead of his jail coveralls during the trial.
Adams was convicted in October in the murder and rape of Roslyn Taylor, 40, of Poland Township on Aug. 6, 1999. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.