Man Accused Of Killing CT Veteran Outside 'Trump House' Competent For Trial

SOUTHBURY, CT — The man charged with killing a Southbury native and Army veteran outside his California home known locally as the "Trump House" has been found mentally competent to face criminal proceedings, court records show.

Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, is charged with murder in connection with the death of Kerry G. Sheron, 69, who died days after he was severely beaten outside his Escondido home in May.

San Diego Superior Court records show Butler was found mentally competent on July 17 and criminal proceedings against him were reinstated.

Proceedings had been suspended June 5 under a California law governing a defendant's mental competency to stand trial, according to court records. Butler was also remanded to the custody of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office without bail.

Butler is scheduled to return to court for a felony readiness hearing on Sept. 9.

Court records show Butler currently faces three felony charges: one count of murder and two counts of making criminal threats.

Butler was initially charged with attempted murder following the May 20 attack. Prosecutors later charged him with murder after Sheron died from his injuries on May 24.

Sheron was born in Waterbury and graduated from high school in Southbury before joining the U.S. Army in 1977, according to his obituary. He served two years in Germany before moving to California, where he worked as a chef in assisted living facilities for more than 40 years.

Sheron's Escondido home became known locally as the "Trump House" because of its prominent display of American flags, patriotic signs and pro-President Donald Trump memorabilia.

Sheron's wife previously said she believed the home's political displays may have made him a target, though authorities have not announced an official motive. Escondido police previously said investigators were examining whether the attack may have had a political component.

The home had also been targeted before the fatal attack. Friends previously told KGTV that someone used razor blades to cut down several of Sheron's flags in March.

"The violent assault and murder of Kerry Sheron outside his own home has left his family and community shaken and grieving for the veteran's senseless loss of life," San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan previously said.

Sheron was given a military burial in San Diego, according to his obituary.

Butler faces 28 years to life in prison if convicted, prosecutors previously said.