HOUSTON – A judge agreed to a 45-day delay Wednesday in ruling on the competency of the man accused of killing Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth.
The judge, who was expected to rule on Shannon Miles' competency, ordered Miles to undergo another mental evaluation.
Miles' attorney Anthony Osso said his team met with his client for hours since he returned to Harris County from a state mental hospital in September.
"We spent hours trying to work on his defense, to try and develop issues that we have concerns about,” Osso said. "We believe, based on our contacts with him and our inability to work with him, that he's still incompetent."
VIDEO: Anthony Osso says doctors believe Miles will be able to stand trial in Goforth's death
In February, Miles, who has a long history of psychosis, was found incompetent to stand trial.
Osso said that his client was aware that he has been charged, but he did not fully understand the severity of the offense.
Miles was sent to the state mental hospital for further evaluation and treatment last July. Osso said he was treated there with psychotropic medication and counseling.
Osso said his expert’s report would go to a state expert. If the experts disagree, then it could possibly go to a jury trial.
The judge said she wanted to move the case forward in a timely manner. She said if Miles is incompetent, he should not be in the Harris County jail.
The next hearing is set for Jan. 12.