Competency check for teen accused in Bremerton girl’s death

Competency check for teen accused in girl’s death

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — Kitsap County prosecutors say a 17-year-old accused in the rape and killing of 6-year-old Jenise Wright will be evaluated next week to see if he’s competent to stand trial.

The Kitsap Sun reports Gabriel Gaeta made a brief appearance in Kitsap County Superior Court on Thursday. At that hearing, Deputy Prosecutor Kelly Montgomery told Judge Jennifer Forbes that Gaeta will be evaluated by doctors Tuesday to determine if he understands the charges against him and can assist lawyers in his defense.

He has been held in the Kitsap County Juvenile Detention Center on $1 million bail since his arrest Aug. 9.

He’s being held on investigation of first-degree murder and first-degree child rape. Once the competency evaluation is complete, prosecutors will make a decision on charging him.

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