BOLIVIA, N.C. (AP) 鈥� A judge on Tuesday ordered that a Marine veteran charged with three counts of first-degree murder in a at a North Carolina waterfront bar last year undergo psychiatric treatment after it was determined he is unable to understand his legal proceedings enough to help his lawyers.
The case of Nigel Max Edge had been scheduled for a Brunswick County court hearing in which the local prosecutor was slated to reveal whether he intended to seek the death penalty. But District Attorney Jon David said in a news release that part of the case was set aside because questions about Edge’s 鈥渃apacity to proceed鈥� were raised by multiple mental health professionals.
鈥淭he defense has presented evaluations from two experts, and this office requested an independent evaluation by a state forensic examiner,鈥� David said. 鈥淎ll three evaluations conclude that Mr. Edge currently lacks the capacity to proceed to trial.鈥�
Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow ordered that Edge be transferred to Cherry Hospital, a state psychiatric facility in Goldsboro, David said.
David said the state鈥檚 mental expert found that Edge 鈥渕ay be restored to capacity through appropriate treatment, including medication and counseling.” With such a restoration, the legal case against Edge would resume.
Voicemail and email seeking comment were left for Edge’s public defender, Matthew Geoffrion.
Authorities allege Edge, 41, piloted a small motorboat up to a dockside cocktail bar in Southport last Sept. 27 and opened fire with a short-barreled semiautomatic rifle. Three people were killed, and
Edge, who faces additional charges, was serving with an when he was shot four times, including once in the head. Friends and family say he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and still has a bullet lodged in his brain.
Tuesday鈥檚 action has 鈥渢he practical effect of suspending further litigation unless and until the defendant鈥檚 capacity is restored,鈥� David said, adding the state could still seek the death penalty 鈥渟hould the facts and law warrant this designation.鈥�
Edge will remain in custody during treatment, which David said would be for an 鈥渋ndeterminate鈥� amount of time.
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