Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
Judge: Dad who dropped girl off bridge ready to stand trial
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A Florida man accused of throwing his young daughter to her death off a Tampa Bay area bridge has been found competent to stand trial.
Pinellas County Judge Joseph Bulone issued the ruling Friday.
In January, state mental health doctors determined 27-year-old Jon Jonchuck was ready to stand trial. He was deemed incompetent in February 2015, the month after prosecutors say he dropped 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck into Tampa Bay.
Prosecutors say they’re hoping for a fall trial.
The Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/2mO4SsQ ) reports Jonchuck will remain at the state hospital in Gainesville until the case is closer to trial.
Pinellas-Pasco Chief Assistant State Attorney Brian Bartlett says they’re concerned Jonchuck will become incompetent again if he’s not forced to take his medication.
The state is seeking the death penalty.
___
Information from: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), http://www.tampabay.com.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
