A judge ordered Friday that an 11-year-old Auburn girl charged with attempted murder in her father’s stabbing this week will be evaluated for competency and will remain in state custody.
At Friday’s videoconference hearing, Assistant District Attorney Molly Butler Bailey referred to an affidavit written by Detective Nate Gagnon that said said the girl had blindfolded her father before she stabbed him twice. He apparently knocked the knife away, so she went to retrieve a second knife, but didn’t stab him again.
Butler Bailey said, based on affidavits, the stabbing had been premeditated and deliberate.
But Richard Charest, who acted Friday as the girl’s attorney, said the girl spoke to him about physical forms of punishment at her home and that there could be valid issues akin to self-defense.
Charest also said she only has an 11 year old brain that’s not fully developed.
He said the girl’s aunt, who also participated in the videoconference, was willing to house the girl.
Judge Driscoll said the girls conduct was “unpredictable,” even if supervised. The judge ordered that the girl continue to be detained to protect her from immediate bodily harm and harm to witnesses and others.
She also ordered a competency evaluation with state forensic services.
The case is expected to come back to court next month.
