A judge has ruled that a teenager accused of killing a Traverse City parking services worker is competent to stand trial.
The decision was announced Friday during a hearing in Grand Traverse County’s 86th District Court involving 17-year-old Eugene Thompson. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 20.
Thompson and another suspect, 18-year-old Hunter Vanderwall, are charged in the Nov. 15 shooting death of 32-year-old Lawrence Boyd IV. Boyd was working at a city parking garage when he was fatally shot, and his body was discovered the following morning.
Authorities say surveillance footage captured the shooting. Investigators linked the incident to a crime spree that also involved alleged vehicle break-ins and a police chase during which Thompson is accused of firing at officers.
A competency evaluation was ordered in December to determine whether Thompson understood the charges against him and could assist in his defense.
Thompson is being tried as an adult and faces several charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, receiving and concealing a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, felony firearm, vehicle break-in and assaulting or resisting a police officer.
He remains in jail as the case moves forward.