Man accused of stabbing trans university student Juniper Blessing found unfit to stand trial
"The court finds Mr. Leahy is not able to proceed in this matter at this time and orders restoration," said Judge Joe Campagna
By Aaron Sugg
Christopher Leahy, the man accused of stabbing trans University of Washington student Juniper Blessing, has been found unfit to stand trial.
Blessing, 19, was found dead in a laundry room at the Nordheim Court off-campus apartment complex last month. According to the medical examiner’s office, she had been stabbed “over 40 times”.
The suspect, Leahy, has been charged with first-degree murder after surrendering to police on 13 May.
Christopher Leahy is undergoing psychiatric evaluations
According to official court documents, Leahy has not yet entered a plea, with his arraignment delayed several times for psychiatric evaluations.
The court found Leahy incompetent to stand trial, meaning he cannot understand the legal proceedings or assist his lawyer in preparing a defence.
“The court finds Mr. Leahy is not able to proceed in this matter at this time and orders restoration,” said Judge Joe Campagna in court.
Under Washington state law, he will receive short-term psychiatric treatment aimed at restoring his competency. If he regains competency, the criminal case can proceed. If he is found permanently incompetent, the charges could be dismissed, and he may be committed to civil mental health treatment.
Juniper Blessing’s stabbing is not being treated as a hate crime
According to KOMO News, prosecutors currently say there is no evidence Blessing’s death was a hate crime: “In order to prove a hate crime, you’ve got to show motivation, but what it appears is that this victim was picked at random,” said Casey McNerthney from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Following the fatal stabbing, CCTV footage was released to help officials identify the killer. Leahy’s brother later identified the suspect as his 31-year-old sibling.
Casey McNerthney from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told the local ABC affiliate that Leahy was seen trying to access another campus site.
“We remain focused on our Juniper” – Blessing’s family speaking out in light of the trans university student’s death
Leahy’s parents were with him when he surrendered to Bellevue authorities.
Blessing’s family issued a statement following her death: “Today and every day, we remain focused on our Juniper, whose loving spirit has no bounds,” they said, as reported by Them.
“Juniper was a beautiful human being with a heart full of love, tolerance, talent, determination and intellectual curiosity that was a light in our world and to the world at large.”
The University of Washington has created the Juniper Blessing Memorial Scholarship in memory of her love for the arts.