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Killer Not Competent to Stand Trial for Second Murder

By Scott Sarvay
May 20, 2011 Updated May 20, 2011 at 12:37 PM EDT

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - An Allen County judge ruled a convicted killer is "not" competent to stand trial for another murder.

33-year-old Joseph Kast is serving 55-years for stabbing Huntington building inspector Earl Bowman to death in 2002.

But Kast allegedly confessed to killing 85-year-old Claude Berkshire in a garage behind his home on Juliette Avenue that same year.

Two of three doctors testifying Friday morning said Kast was not competent enough to help with his own defense. One doctor said he was.

So Judge John Surbeck ruled that Kast will be committed to a facility until he's well enough to stand trial.



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