Competency evaluation sought in burglary case

WARREN — The attorney for a city man indicted on a burglary charge, allegedly breaking into a house on Wallace Street and getting shot by one of the occupants in February, has asked for a mental competency evaluation.

Atty. Alan Matavich, attorney for Steven A. DeFoor, 49, of Hayes Avenue Southwest, asked Judge Peter Kontos for the evaluation Monday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Kontos, who reduced DeFoor’s bond to $50,000, is likely to approve the evaluation, court officials said.

Police said DeFoor broke into the house, occupied by a disabled elderly woman and her brother, and demanded money while holding a 12-inch knife.

The woman’s brother, 68, said he knew DeFoor by name and fired a gun at DeFoor but missed.

DeFoor fled but returned a couple hours later, at about 10:30 p.m., and this time the brother hit DeFoor with two gunshots. DeFoor went later to the hospital and was arrested.

The burglary charge relates to the second break-in, said Gina Buccina Arnaut, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor.

If convicted, DeFoor could get 18 months in jail.

DeFoor is set to return to court again on June 15.