Austin Lynch Ruled Competent To Stand Trial In Emily Finn Killing: Reports

NESCONSET, NY — Austin Lynch, the Nesconset man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend Emily Finn last Thanksgiving, has been found competent to stand trial following another psychiatric evaluation, Newsday reported Thursday.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft Jr. ruled that Lynch, 18, is fit to proceed on the second-degree murder charge after receiving an updated evaluation from the New York State Office of Mental Health, according to Newsday.

The ruling comes nearly eight months after Lynch was found unfit to stand trial and committed to a state mental health hospital until he could understand the charges against him and assist in his defense.

Lynch's competency came under renewed scrutiny after he was indicted in March on a separate conspiracy charge for plotting from jail to have Finn's family home burglarized.

Mental health experts subsequently found him competent to stand trial on the conspiracy charge, prompting Senft to order another evaluation in July to resolve the conflicting findings, Newsday reported.

Lynch is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 19. Lynch has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

Finn, 18, of Sayville, was a SUNY Oneonta freshman studying early childhood education when she was killed on Nov. 26, 2025.

According to prosecutors, Finn went to Lynch's home on Shenandoah Boulevard North to discuss their breakup and return some of his belongings.

As she prepared to leave, Lynch shot her in the back of the head with a family-owned shotgun at point-blank range before turning the weapon on himself, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Finn was pronounced dead at the scene. Lynch survived the shooting and was hospitalized with severe facial injuries.

In March, prosecutors announced that Lynch had allegedly provided another person with detailed information about Finn's family home, including its layout, contents and instructions for gaining entry. Members of Finn's family were still living in the residence at the time, prosecutors said.

Lynch faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder and up to 1 1/3 to four years if convicted of fourth-degree conspiracy.

He is represented by attorney William Wexler, who was not immediately available for comment.