Roderick Darby. Contributed photo.
A man accused of rape in Masury is not competent to stand trial, but could be made competent if he is educated about the court process, a psychologist has recommended.
Trumbull County Eastern District Court Judge Marty Nosich accepted the opinion of Dr. Carla Dreyer in the case of Roderick K. Darby, 32, formerly of Masury.
Dreyer said Darby has a “below average intellect,” accepting a previous determination made by mental health authorities. Nosich asked how Darby could be “restored,” as Dreyer termed it, if his intellect is below average. Dreyer said the issue is Darby’s knowledge of the court system. He already knows “almost everything” he needs to know, and it will take some time to get him up to speed, she said at a June 8 hearing. At that time, he will be able to assist in his defense, Dreyer said.
“I think this is an education issue,” she said. “We’re not trying to change his IQ.”
Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Deena DeVico asked that Darby be taken to a behavioral facility for the education he needs. Nosich committed Darby to Heartland Behavioral Healthcare for evaluation and treatment. Nosich’s order states there is a “substantial probability” that Darby will be competent within one year.
Darby, who had been housed in a Masury home run by Kaleidoscope Inc. is accused of forcing a 51-year-old woman who also is served by Kaleidoscope to perform oral sex on him April 6 at Kaleidoscope’s office in Masury, police said.
