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Judge: Midland Co. teen competent to stand trial as adult

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By Kelly Dame

The 15-year-old boy charged as an adult in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred over the summer has been found competent to stand trial.

At a hearing held this morning, Midland County District Court Judge Stephen P. Carras received a copy of a report from the Center for Forensic Psychiatry that states Steven Jeffrey Pribbernow Jr. is competent to stand trial and assist in his own defense.

Pribbernow was charged with one count of open murder and three counts of assault with the intent to commit murder after the stabbing, which occurred on Aug. 4 at 5180 W. McNally Road in Geneva Township. Both open murder and assault with the intent to commit murder are punishable by up to life in prison.

Killed was 17-year-old Justin Steven Pribbernow. Injured were Kody Christopher Pribbernow, 13 1/2; Kevin David Pribbernow, 15; and Joshua Saylor, 32.

Pribbernow’s defense attorney, Dan Duke of Midland, said the results of the forensic examination relating to criminal competency — the ability to be held accountable for the crimes with which he is charged — is not yet complete. Duke also said an independent examination of Pribbernow is nearing completion.

Duke said a preliminary hearing in the case — which is for a judge to decide if there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that it was committed by the defendant — has been scheduled for Nov. 23.

2009 Nov 2