02-15-2011, 09:34 AM
they could still fry the filthy son.
Florida Times-Union
BRUNSWICK - Peggy Edenfield will be the next - and possibly last - member of her family to stand trial in the sexual abuse slaying of 6-year-old Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. almost four years ago.
An hour before conducting a hearing Monday about her case, Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett ordered her son, George Edenfield, to remain in a state mental hospital undergoing treatment until psychologists determine he is mentally competent to stand trial.
A convicted child molester, George Edenfield, 36, faces the death penalty if convicted of murdering the Brunswick kindergartner who was his family's neighbor in a Glynn County mobile home park.
Last August Scarlett ordered George Edenfield evaluated and treated if necessary by psychologists with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Although he marginally understands the charges against him, George Edenfield remains incapable of assisting his lawyers in his defense, and still is incompetent to stand trial, psychologists said in a Jan. 10 summary of their findings.
There is a chance he "could be restored to competency" and should continue treatment and evaluation at Central State Hospital, the psychologists said in the report that Scarlett attached to his order.
Scarlett informed Peggy Edenfield and her lawyer, Richard Allen, of his ruling in her son's case at the beginning of her hearing. The 59-year-old woman showed no emotion at the information, which means she could be last to be tried in the slaying. Wearing a blue print dress with her hair in a bun, Peggy Edenfield looked straight ahead during the brief hearing.
Prosecutors consent to a change of venue for her trial, Special Assistant District Attorney John Johnson told Scarlett.
"We'd like to get it done before the end of the year," Johnson said.
Christopher disappeared while playing outside at Canal Mobile Home Park on March 8, 2007. Police recovered his body a week later stuffed inside black plastic garbage bags in woods about 2 miles from the park.
Peggy Edenfield's 62-year-old husband, David, was the first of the three family members to stand trial. In October 2009, a jury found him guilty of murder and imposed the death penalty. He is appealing his conviction.
Peggy Edenfield testified against her husband and she agreed to testify against their son if he stands trial. In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against her.
Last week, Peggy Edenfield rejected a plea bargain that Christopher's grandmother told reporters called for her to serve 30 years in prison for the slaying.
"I want her to get a jury trial. I believe a jury will convict her and give her a lot more than 30 years," Sue Rodriguez said after the hearing.
Florida Times-Union
BRUNSWICK - Peggy Edenfield will be the next - and possibly last - member of her family to stand trial in the sexual abuse slaying of 6-year-old Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. almost four years ago.
An hour before conducting a hearing Monday about her case, Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett ordered her son, George Edenfield, to remain in a state mental hospital undergoing treatment until psychologists determine he is mentally competent to stand trial.
A convicted child molester, George Edenfield, 36, faces the death penalty if convicted of murdering the Brunswick kindergartner who was his family's neighbor in a Glynn County mobile home park.
Last August Scarlett ordered George Edenfield evaluated and treated if necessary by psychologists with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Although he marginally understands the charges against him, George Edenfield remains incapable of assisting his lawyers in his defense, and still is incompetent to stand trial, psychologists said in a Jan. 10 summary of their findings.
There is a chance he "could be restored to competency" and should continue treatment and evaluation at Central State Hospital, the psychologists said in the report that Scarlett attached to his order.
Scarlett informed Peggy Edenfield and her lawyer, Richard Allen, of his ruling in her son's case at the beginning of her hearing. The 59-year-old woman showed no emotion at the information, which means she could be last to be tried in the slaying. Wearing a blue print dress with her hair in a bun, Peggy Edenfield looked straight ahead during the brief hearing.
Prosecutors consent to a change of venue for her trial, Special Assistant District Attorney John Johnson told Scarlett.
"We'd like to get it done before the end of the year," Johnson said.
Christopher disappeared while playing outside at Canal Mobile Home Park on March 8, 2007. Police recovered his body a week later stuffed inside black plastic garbage bags in woods about 2 miles from the park.
Peggy Edenfield's 62-year-old husband, David, was the first of the three family members to stand trial. In October 2009, a jury found him guilty of murder and imposed the death penalty. He is appealing his conviction.
Peggy Edenfield testified against her husband and she agreed to testify against their son if he stands trial. In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against her.
Last week, Peggy Edenfield rejected a plea bargain that Christopher's grandmother told reporters called for her to serve 30 years in prison for the slaying.
"I want her to get a jury trial. I believe a jury will convict her and give her a lot more than 30 years," Sue Rodriguez said after the hearing.