AUSTINTOWN STABBING Lawyer wants mental testing for victim's grandmother

The woman has repeatedly blamed the devil for what happened that night.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mildred Battles' attorney wants to find out whether she is mentally competent to stand trial on charges that she stabbed her granddaughter.
Battles, 74, of Westchester Drive, Austintown, is being held in the Mahoning County Jail on charges of attempted murder and felonious assault. Austintown police say she stabbed 7-year-old Zabrina Battles in the chest Feb. 6.
In foster care
The girl was hospitalized for her injuries but has since been released and is in foster care. Her mother, Zipporah Coates, 37, is charged with child endangering. Police say the three lived together in an apartment on Westchester. The little girl was found passed out with three apparent stab wounds to her chest.
Police found a bloodstained knife sticking out of a stuffed animal in her bedroom. Zabrina had apparently been holding the animal when she was stabbed. In court appearances, Mildred Battles has repeatedly talked about the devil, and has said the devil was responsible for the stabbing.
Request filed
Defense attorney Paul Scarsella filed a request this week in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court asking that Battles be evaluated by at least one psychologist, and by no more than three, to determine whether she is competent to stand trial.
Both Battles and Coates are set for trial in May.
Scarsella also filed documents asking that Battles' $250,000 bond be reconsidered by the court. She has been unable to post that amount so has remained in jail. Coates, however, is free on $10,000 bond while she awaits her trial.
bjackson@vindy.com