EVERETT — Six years after a Lake Stevens woman was tied to a bed and stabbed two dozen times, her suspected killer may finally go to trial.
Anthony Garver, 31, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, was declared competent to stand trial earlier this week in Snohomish County Superior Court. A date has tentatively been set for Aug. 2.
Phillipa Evans-Lopez, a 20-year-old mother, was found tied to a bed in her Lake Stevens home in June 2013. Authorities reportedly found DNA on the electrical cords used to bind the victim and blood on a knife taken from Garver at the time of his arrest, court papers said. Detectives believe Garver met Evans-Lopez at a McDonald’s in Everett a day or so before her death.
Garver’s schizophrenia has delayed court proceedings, to the point that deputy prosecutor Matt Hunter moved to have the case dropped in 2015.
Efforts to prosecute Garver were revived in 2017, after he escaped Western State Hospital. That set in motion a federal probation violation case, granting another opportunity to review his mental health.
A judge determined at the time that a trial could proceed, and the murder charges were re-filed. Authorities transported Garver back to the Snohomish County Jail.
But as the case dragged on, questions again arose about Garver’s ability to participate in his own defense.
In February 2018, he began refusing medications and his mental health deteriorated, according to a medical report.
“He became increasingly paranoid, stopped caring for his personal needs, stopped meeting with his attorney, became increasingly aggressive and his speech became increasingly disorganized,” wrote a psychologist with the state Office of Forensic Mental Health Services.
When asked if he would like to talk about going back onto medications, he reportedly responded with death threats.
In March, a judge ordered a 90-day stay at Western State Hospital and allowed staff there to force medication on Garver.
Garver appeared to improve shortly after doctors involuntarily administered medication.
By June, he could track conversation, and he denied hearing voices. He also understood what he was charged with, as well as the sentence he could receive if convicted.
“He demonstrated an ability to logically discuss his present legal circumstances and options available to him in his current case,” a psychologist wrote.
However, the court order for forced medication will no longer apply now that he’s back in jail.
Like before, he’ll be allowed to refuse.
Hunter, the deputy prosecutor, said his goal is to get to trial as soon as possible.
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
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