Musician charged in family slayings seeks insanity plea

CANTON, Ohio – The attorney for a family-band musician who authorities say killed his mother and brother at the family’s Ohio farm says he plans to seek a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

The Repository in Canton reports the attorney on Monday requested another psychological evaluation of whether 26-year-old Jacob Stockdale is competent for trial. A separate examination will determine whether he was legally sane at the time of the 2017 slayings.

He is charged with murder in the fatal shootings of 54-year-old Kathryn Stockdale and 21-year-old James Stockdale. Prosecutors haven’t offered a motive. Authorities say he shot himself after the killings.

A previous evaluation found Jacob Stockdale competent.

He performed with his father and slain brother in the bluegrass-themed Stockdale Family Band. Kathryn Stockdale appeared on the reality show “Wife Swap” in 2008.

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Information from: The Repository, http://www.cantonrep.com