Judge Orders Severance Hospitalized for Mental Evaluation: Report

Pool photo by Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post

A judge Thursday ordered Charles Severance, charged in the murders of three prominent Alexandrians, hospitalized for a mental evaluation to see if he’s competent to stand trial, according to a report by The Washington Post.

Severance, charged in three Alexandria murders, is incarcerated in the Arlington County Jail awaiting trial. The 54-year old Loudoun resident (and former Alexandria resident) twice loudly disrupted the courtroom hearing Thursday in Alexandria Circuit Court, saying his attorney didn’t represent him and that he had a right to a speedy trial, the newspaper reported.

“I’d like the defense to competently argue I’ve been denied a right to a speedy trial,” NBC-4 reported him as saying. The judge told him he had a competent legal team, the TV station reported.

Severance reportedly did not cooperate with a doctor sent earlier to the Arlington County Jail who tried to interview him to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial, the TV station reported. Prosecutors want him evaluated saying he should not be considered incompetent just because he isn’t cooperating, NBC-4 noted.

Severance is charged in the shooting deaths of three well-known Alexandria residents:

• Nancy Dunning more than a decade ago
• Ron Kirby in November 2013
• Ruthanne Lodato in February 2014

Also read:

• Alexandria Resident Ruthanne Lodato Killed in Shooting Thursday
• Shooting Victim Ruthanne Lodato was Mother of 3, Music Teacher
• Ruthanne Lodato Homicide: Alexandria Police Chief, Mayor Attempt to Reassure Community
• Alexandria Police Release Sketch of Suspected Shooter in Lodato Murder
• Police Restrict Access to Streets Around Shooting
• Ruthanne Lodato Funeral: Hundreds Gather to Say Goodbye
• Police to Hold News Conference on Lodato Homicide Investigation
• VIDEO: Alexandria Police Chief Doesn’t Rule Out Serial Killer
• What Ties Lodato Homicide to Other Victims?
• Prosecutor: Man Wanted for Questioning in Alexandria Slayings ‘A Danger’; 2 Guns Missing
• Public Defender Says Charles Severance Being Held on ‘Sham’ Charges
• Gov. McAuliffe Signs Extradition Order for ‘Person of Interest’ in Alexandria Killings
• Prosecutor: Charles Severance Served With Extradition Warrant
• Charles Severance’s Attorney Asks to Delay Extradition Hearing to April 24
• FBI, Police Search Water for Evidence in Connection with Three Alexandria Homicides
• Woman Reportedly Purchased Guns for Severance; Public Defender, Again, Asks for His Release Under ‘Sham’ Charges
• Charles Severance, ‘Person of Interest’ in Alexandria Shootings, Due in Court
• Judge: Severance Must Return to Virginia
• Charles Severance Set to Be Extradited to Virginia
• Charles Severance Transported Monday to Loudoun County Adult Detention Center
• Commonwealth’s Attorney Won’t Seek Death Penalty in Severance Case
• Accused Murderer Charles Severance Moved to Alexandria
• Judge Who Presided Over Sniper Trial to Rule on Murder Case Against Severance
• Alexandria Sheriff: Charles Severance Moved to Arlington Jail
• Charles Severance Has Year to Prepare Defense in Murder Trial

PHOTO: Booking photo of Charles Severance