An Arizona man may face a trial for first-degree murder after all two years after being found incompetent to stand trial when charges were originally filed, according to the Arizona Star. Michael Lynn Steele, 39, was being held at a state hospital but has been released and is currently housed in the county jail.
The original case centered on the allegation that Steele shot and killed Elton Prunty, but he was found incapable of standing trial in December of 2006. Prosecutors are now seeking new charges and the opportunity to proceed with a new trial for the murder.
“According to court documents, Steele insists he’s not mentally ill. He not only wanted to take “truth serum” to prove he’s telling the truth, but he wanted to go to trial.
At the time of Steele’s commitment, John Cooper, the chief executive officer of the Arizona State Hospital, said it was rare for doctors to declare crime suspects who were civilly committed no longer a danger to themselves or others.
Prunty’s mother, Diane Harris, once expressed her fear that Steele would one day be released.
“He’s already murdered someone,” she said in December 2006. “To say he’s not a danger to anyone and decide to release him is turning a blind eye and taking a leap of faith.”
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