State v. Sarich

In this case, we review a trial court’s orders declaring defendant’s son, Z — a 19-year-old man who suffers from autism and developmental disabilities — not competent to testify at trial and excluding from evidence a video involving out-of-court statements made by Z and drawings made by Z. For the reasons that follow, we affirm both orders.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Defendant is charged with the aggravated murder of William Mills (also known as Bill Mills). On the day the victim was last seen, in January 2007, the victim had been scheduled to work in defendant’s home as a…