Judge: Man still not competent to stand trial for stabbings, to remain committed civilly
Published 4:05 pm Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A man who reportedly stabbed five people in two separate incidents in Albert Lea in 2022 was found to still be incompetent to stand trial after a recent psychological evaluation.
Freeborn County District Court Judge Ross Leuning in July 2023 ordered CK Kyle Kasio, 28, be civilly committed indeterminately as mentally ill and dangerous after he was found incompetent a few months prior to stand trial.
His case is reviewed regularly, and Leuning ordered another evaluation in a September hearing.
Leuning said a report from the evaluation was filed Oct. 20, which indicated that Kasio, who is currently being treated in a forensic mental health program in St. Peter, has made minor progress but not a significant amount. The report also concluded that Kasio remained not competent to aid in his own defense or at trial.
Based on the report, Kasio will continue in the program, and the case will be reviewed again in six months after another update is provided by his treating physicians, the judge stated.
Prior to his civil commitment, Kasio had been in the Freeborn County jail since May 2022 after he allegedly stabbed three men as they were sleeping at an apartment complex at 221 E. Main St. in Albert Lea. Two of the three victims were critically injured and flown by helicopter to St. Marys Hospital.
One of the victims told police he woke up to the other victim being stabbed and then he got stabbed himself. As he tried to run away, he got stabbed in the back of his shoulder, court documents state.
In the second incident in December 2022, Kasio reportedly stabbed one inmate and then attempted to stab another while in the jail.
Court records state the first inmate was in his bed sleeping when Kasio reportedly came into his cell and started punching him. After a few punches, Kasio allegedly reached into the pocket of his jumpsuit and grabbed an orange Spork that had been sharpened and started stabbing the inmate. He suffered a stab wound on his right arm and three other stab wounds to the back of his head.
Kasio then reportedly left the cell and went into the common area, where he began striking a second inmate with a closed fist in the face and attempted to stab him as well, according to court documents.
Leuning said the charges from both incidents will remain suspended from prosecution as Kasio continues to work toward restoring his mental capacity.
The next review date has been scheduled for 2 p.m. April 30, 2025.