Mental fitness exam ordered for man accused of Lerna child’s death
Currey
CHARLESTON — A man accused of beating his 4-month-old son to death will be examined to determine if he’s mentally fit for trial.
The psychologist’s examination was ordered Thursday during a court hearing at which Isaac M. Currey also pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in connection with his son’s death last month.
Currey, 21, was arrested after his son Branson was pronounced dead at their home in Lerna on Dec. 16.
Murder charges were filed after an autopsy showed the child’s injuries were extensive and he’d suffered from blunt trauma, according to what was presented during a court hearing last month.
On Thursday, Coles County State’s Attorney Jesse Danley requested the examination, which he said was based on reports he received that cast doubt on Currey’s fitness for trial.
Circuit Judge James Glenn granted the request after defense attorney Sean Britton said he didn’t object to the examination.
If the examination finds that Currey is not mentally fit for trial, he would be ordered into a treatment facility until he is fit or until it’s determined he won’t obtain fitness.
Currey’s remains jailed pending posting of bond and could be sentenced to up to life in prison if convicted.
He was arrested the day after the boy was found dead and, according to case records, told investigators with the county Sheriff’s Office that he dropped the child while taking him out of a bathtub. The boy’s mother wasn’t home at the time, the records say.
At the earlier hearing however, Danley reported that the pathologist who performed the autopsy indicated it was “impossible” for the boy’s injuries to have been from a fall.
The pathologist said the autopsy showed it was “very clear” that the boy was hit by a fist or other blunt object, Danley said.
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