Having found that Michael Haapala acted with intent to kill his brother, the court will hear evidence on the defendant's state of mind when he attacked and left the 13-year-old for dead in a ravine.
A 17-year-old who allegedly tried to kill his brother last year has been diagnosed with a number of potential mental health issues, but a judge said keeping the case in juvenile court would prevent the needed long-term supervision.
Civil commitment proceedings will be initiated for Patrick Wilson Battees Jr., with his juvenile court case suspended until he is deemed fit to stand trial.
Teen charged in Duluth homicide to undergo mental health evaluation
Prosecutors want Patrick Battees tried as an adult in the shooting death of Juamada Anderson, but court proceedings will remain suspended while a determination is made on his competency. 12:45 pm, Jun. 3, 2021 ×
Patrick Wilson Battees Jr. (2020 handout)
The case against a 17-year-old Duluth homicide suspect will remain on hold while he undergoes a mental health evaluation.
Patrick Wilson Battees Jr., of Proctor, is accused of fatally shooting 22-year-old Juamada Keller Anderson Jr. during a fight in downtown Duluth on May 22. He is charged in juvenile court with intentional second-degree murder.
Battees, who remains at Arrowhead Juvenile Center, appeared via Zoom before Judge Leslie Beiers on Thursday. Attorneys said the proceedings will remain suspended as they await the findings of an evaluation ordered after Battees initial court appearance last week.