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Man accused of killing officer found incompetent for trial
NEW ORLEANS – A man charged with murder in the 2017 shooting of a New Orleans police officer has been found mentally incompetent for trial.
News outlets report Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Franz Zibilich ruled Thursday that 31-year-old Darren Bridges is incompetent to proceed. Bridges is accused of killing Officer Marcus McNeil.
Zibilich ordered Bridges sent to the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System. Doctors who testified at the hearing Thursday said Bridges’ competency is likely to be restored there.
Richard Richoux and the other doctors say Bridges suffers from psychotic symptoms and depression that would keep him from effectively helping his lawyers.
Prosecutor Tiffany Tucker disagreed, saying Bridges participates in group therapy and games in jail.
Defence attorney Kerry Cuccia says therapy, chess or checkers are no comparison to the stress of trial.
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