Competency hearing for murder suspect Susan Wade delayed one week
Susan Wade, the 48-year-old Ann Arbor woman accused of murdering her father, will return to court next week for her competency hearing, originally scheduled for Thursday morning.
Susan Wade
Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
Wade is accused of stabbing Ronald Mason between 25 and 30 times while he slept on June 9 at his Ann Arbor home in the 1700 block of Covington Drive. She was in court Thursday morning for a preliminary examination that was scheduled to determine her competency and criminal responsibility. However, the doctor that performed the competency tests on Wade was not available to be in court.
In order to have the doctor present, District Court Judge Ann Mattson adjourned the case until 8:30 a.m. Aug. 30.
The case against Wade is the first murder case to come out of Ann Arbor in approximately three years, according to police.
Family members have told AnnArbor.com that Wade is schizophrenic and has a history of drug abuse.
There may be issues between Wade and her attorney, Gina Noveskey. When asked by Mattson if she understood that the case was being adjourned for a week, Wade complained about Noveskey instead of responding.
“I want a new attorney because she said I was a liar when I went to the forensic center to take a test,” Wade said to Mattson.
Mattson explained to Wade that any issues between her and her attorney would have to be figured out at the Aug. 30 hearing when a ruling is made on Wade’s competency.
“This will not be the time to address that,” she said.
Police allege Wade waited until after midnight on June 9 to approach a sleeping Mason in his bedroom, where she stabbed him repeatedly. Later that same morning, she came back into the room and believed she saw Mason move and resumed the attack, police allege.
Later on that day, Wade’s daughter showed up at the home and found that Wade had barricaded herself inside. Eventually, she allowed her daughter to enter and led her to Mason’s bloodied body, police said.
Wade was arrested at the home and has been charged with one count of open murder. The charge of open murder allows the jury to determine if the crime fits the description of first-degree murder or second-degree murder.
If convicted, Wade faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. She is currently lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail and being held without bond.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
jj45678
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:44 a.m.
I think I'm going to change my facebook profile picture to that mug shot.
Danielle
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
i dont think me or my family would appreciate that. thank you,
MRunner73
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
The photo of her is disturbing. I hope the criminal justice system will provide the best solution for this case.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 7:29 p.m.
Might keep other people safe though.
Hmm
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
Doubtful that locking her up in gen pop will help her mental illness but maybe you know something we dont about that
Hmm
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
If they find this obviously mentally impaired woman guilty of murder that would be travesty of our justice system. She needs help and should be in an institution not in a prison. Condolences to their family!
Danielle
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:25 a.m.
Ron Mason was my grandfather. Susan Wade is my aunt. yes she is mentally ill but then again no she isnt. She new what she did and she knows the consequences. She belongs in a JAIL CELL for the rest of her life. an institution is an easier way out. what if that was your family. thanks.
Cathy
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 1:13 a.m.
Mentally ill? Check. Public defender? Check. Gruesome crime? Check. She is definitely going to prison.