Accused killer deemed incompetent

PORT ST. JOE — A Port St. Joe man charged with killing his mother wants to act as his own defense attorney, but first he’ll have to spend some time in a state hospital undergoing competency restoration.

It’s not the first time Jerrod Slick has been sent to the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee for treatment, which Judge John Fishel ordered after finding Slick incompetent to proceed during an arraignment hearing Tuesday on a charge of second-degree murder stemming from the brutal slaying of Slick’s mother, Renee Coffee, in May.

Slick was deemed incompetent after his arrest on two counts each of arson and burglary stemming from a fire at the Port St. Joe Masonic Lodge in December 2012. He was treated and released from the hospital, and he was free on bond Coffee posted for him when she was killed, said prosecutor Bob Sombathy.

Staff at the hospital diagnosed Slick with depression, but he was re-evaluated after he attempted suicide while out on bond, Sombathy said. The doctor who re-evaluated Slick said he was psychotic, Sombathy said.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Slick declined representation by the Public Defender’s Office. He told Fishel he didn’t want a lawyer.

“I was going to self-represent on the murder charge, sir,” Slick said.

Nonetheless, Fishel conditionally appointed a public defender to represent Slick. He explained that he would have to hold a lengthy hearing to determine whether Slick would be allowed to act as his own attorney, and he didn’t want to have that hearing until Slick had been deemed competent.

Slick did not object.

He didn’t enter a plea either, and Fishel continued the hearing until the hospital sends him back. His next court appearance was not scheduled.

“Your honor,” Slick asked Fishel, “Is this going to be like the last time?”

“Not exactly,” Fishel replied.