Ohio man competent to stand trial in family deaths

PORT CLINTON, Ohio (AP) — A judge says a man accused in the killings of his father, stepmother and stepbrother is competent to stand trial despite a history of mental illness.

The decision issued this week means 25-year-old William Liske can be tried on aggravated murder charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

Liske’s stepbrother found the three bodies in October at the family’s rural home just outside Toledo.

The Blade newspaper of Toledo reports Liske has a long history of arrests and criminal convictions and was involved in domestic incidents at the house.

Court documents show Liske’s father had tried to help his son and that the younger Liske would sometimes stop taking medication for his mental illness.

Attorneys in the case are under a judge’s gag order.