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252nd District Court finds Bethany Batten not competent; orders inpatient restoration up to 120 days
Summary
A judge in the 252nd District Court found defendant Bethany Batten incompetent to stand trial based on an evaluation by Dr. Hamza and ordered inpatient competency restoration for up to 120 days.
A judge in the 252nd District Court found defendant Bethany Batten not competent to stand trial and ordered her committed to an appropriate inpatient facility for competency restoration for a period not to exceed 120 days.
The finding followed receipt of a competency evaluation by Dr. Hamza dated Feb. 10, 2025. The judge said, “The finding in that report is that miss Batten is currently not competent to stand trial … and that inpatient treatment for competency restoration would be required.”
The judge told Batten, “you'll be sent somewhere so they can help you get leveled out on everything that you need to, and then you'll be able to be brought back and we'll get your case taken care of.” Defense counsel was present in court and the state's attorney was noted as present on the record. The court took judicial notice of the court file before announcing the competency ruling.
No timeline for return to court was specified beyond the 120-day maximum the judge set for inpatient restoration. The court did not announce additional conditions or the specific facility to which Batten would be sent during the hearing recorded in the transcript.
The judge’s order pauses trial proceedings in Batten’s case while restoration treatment is provided; following restoration the court will set the matter for further proceedings as appropriate.
