The man accused in a series of seemingly random shootings across Kalamazoo in February is mentally fit to stand trial. A district court judge ruled today that Jason Brian Dalton understands the crimes against him and can assist his defense.
Dalton allegedly killed six people and injured two others as he drove across Kalamazoo County on February 20th.
Outside the courthouse, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said the court’s competency exam wasn’t looking at whether Dalton is guilty, but rather whether he understands the trial process.
"What they do want to ask him is, do you know what a trial is?" Getting said. "Do you know who the defense attorney is? Do you know what a defense attorney’s role is? Do you know the prosecutor’s job and judge's job?"
Getting said that court-issued competency exams were routine, and he wasn’t surprised by the court’s findings.
"No, I was not surprised at all," he said. "I would have been surprised if the results were something other than him being competent."
In interviews with police following his arrest, Dalton said that he had been possessed by the Uber app on his iPhone during the shootings.
Despite being ruled competent to stand trial, Dalton can still argue that he was legally insane during the shootings. Dalton will be back in court on May 20th, where prosecutors will present evidence at a probable cause hearing. Getting said that prosecutors will not offer Dalton a plea deal.
