The man accused of killing two teenagers behind a Roswell grocery store is competent to stand trial — as long as he remains on his current medication for mental illness, a clinical psychologist testified Wednesday.
IN-DEPTH: Roswell murder suspect ‘just didn’t seem normal’
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Jeffrey Hazelwood’s long hair had been cut short and he was in a gray suit as he sat in the courtroom for his hearing Wednesday morning. He has been receiving treatment at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville since February, when he was moved from the Fulton County jail. The medications he was given while in the Fulton jail were not adequately treating his condition, according to Christian Hildreth, the psychologist treating him at the hospital.
When Hazelwood was brought to the hospital, he had difficulty completing sentences, was incoherent and reported hearing voices, Hildreth said during the hearing. Hazelwood was prescribed a new course of medications, which have helped him, though his mental illness cannot be cured, Hildreth said.
“Mr. Hazelwood has some confusion,” Hildreth said. “He did report, even during the evaluation, that he was hearing voices, some were friends. Sometimes he was hearing demons.”
Hazelwood is accused of killing Natalie Henderson and Carter Davis, both 17, in the early morning hours Aug. 1 behind a Publix, according to Roswell police. He was arrested within 48 hours of the deaths and has been indicted on 15 counts, including murder, aggravated assault and sexual battery.
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