Evaluation says Ohio man not insane when girl killed

HILLSBORO, Ohio (AP) — A southwest Ohio judge has set an Aug. 19 trial date for a man accused of killing his 5-year-old niece.

Trial had been delayed for 19-year-old Matthew Pierson while his competency was evaluated. Judge Rocky Coss of Highland County Common Pleas Court said today the evaluation concluded that Pierson was not insane at the time of the slaying.

A psychological report last year found that Pierson was unable to assist in his own defense then, but his competency was restored after a report last month, after his treatment in a mental health facility.

The Times-Gazette of Hillsboro reports that Pierson’s attorneys say they don’t plan at this point to seek another medical opinion. He has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges in Jada Beth Williams’ death last August.