SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Utah) – Alicia Englert’s mental state is severe and may not be reversible. That’s what her attorney said in a courtroom Thursday.
Englert is accused of attempting to murder her newborn baby in 2014. But last year a district court judge ruled she was incompetent to stand trial after medical experts made that determination.
“Alicia Englert actually processes really quickly so she can respond quickly,” said Josie Brumfield, Englert’s attorney.
According to Brumfield, Englert’s ability to answer questions seems normal. But deep down, her attorney said Englert doesn’t fully understand her answers.
“But a lot of that is just parroting back and trying to fit in socially,” her attorney said. “It doesn’t mean what she’s saying is true or accurate or reliable. But it does make people think she’s more competent that she actually is.”
Englert’s attorney said that’s why she was able to fool those around her. Brumfield said a psychiatric report showed her IQ testing below 70.
Two years ago she was charged with the attempted murder of her newborn.
Englert is accused of dumping the baby in a neighbor’s trash can. The baby survived and was adopted.
Last year a judge ruled her incompetent to stand trial. Thursday she was back in court for an update on her restoration. Only two of the reports were completed attorneys told the judge.
Englert’s attorney said it doesn’t look promising for her.
“The last evaluation that was done, competency evaluation, the doctor stated in her opinion she didn’t think she would likely be restored,” said Brumfield.
Her attorney said Englert needs help and her actions weren’t criminal.
“It wasn’t motivated by anything malicious,” she said. “I think (it was)taking care of a problem temporarily.
She had no malicious intent. Thank God the baby is safe and adopted out.”
The judge set another hearing for April 28th in hopes the outstanding reports will be completed.
Detectives with Unified Police claimed she disposed of the newborn in a neighbor’s trashcan after giving birth. A neighbor found the baby and called 911. The baby survived but Englert had to give it up for adoption.
She was in court Thursday for an update on her competency. Similar hearings in the past have been continued because reports are not completed. That was the case Thursday.
But her attorney disclosed in court that one of the psychiatric report concluded Englert has a long road to recovery.
“The last evaluation that was done, competency evaluation, the doctor stated in her opinion she didn’t think she would likely be restored,” said Josie Brumfield, Englert’s attorney.
But there are three other psychiatrists evaluating Englert’s progress towards restoration and two have yet to complete their evaluation.
The judge set another hearing for April 28th in hopes those reports will be completed.
