Custar man ruled not competent

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File photo. Thomas
Boyer, left, is seen with his attorney. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)

A Custar man accused of shooting another man with a shotgun last fall has been deemed not competent to
stand trial at this time.
Thomas Boyer, 53, appeared in the courtroom of Judge Reeve Kelsey Monday afternoon.
Boyer is charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of felonious assault after the Nov. 20
shooting of William Morris, 42, Rutland, at Boyer’s former residence on Defiance Pike in Custar.
Morris, a subcontractor employed by One West Bank, had come to Boyer’s foreclosed residence to determine
if it was occupied and to change the locks and winterize the home if it was not. The home was scheduled
to be sold at a sheriff’s sale.
Boyer reportedly shot Morris once in the back with a shotgun as he was returning to his vehicle following
a confrontation.
An evaluation by the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Toledo had previously stated that Boyer was
not competent to stand trial, a matter which was discussed at a hearing in May. However, after noting
the State of Ohio was "dissatisfied" with the report, prosecuting attorney Gwen-Howe Gebers
asked for a second opinion, and Boyer was referred to Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare, Columbus, for a
further evaluation.
In court on Monday, Howe-Gebers noted that both reports dealing with Boyer have indicated that he is not
competent to stand trial at this time – meaning that he is unable to assist with his own defense – but
they state the opinion that Boyer could be restored to competency.
Kelsey determined that Boyer should be treated at the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital in the least
restrictive environment as determined by the physicians at the facility, a provision required by law. A
further hearing as to Boyer’s progress will be held Jan. 15.
The State of Ohio may still prosecute Boyer within one year if he is found to be competent. After the
year period, however, it cannot.

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