Man in smothering case found incompetent to stand trial
A man accused of smothering his baby at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in 2007 has once again been found incompetent to stand trial.
In a recent order, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Alford Dempsey said he made the finding after observing Michael Callaway in court and after learning that a psychiatric evaluation determined Callaway was not mentally competent to stand trial. Dempsey ordered Callaway be committed to the state mental hospital and be reevaluated in 90 days.
Callaway previously had been allowed to remain free on bond and receive treatment at private facilities. But Fulton prosecutors moved to revoke his bond and have Callaway committed to the state hospital after a North Georgia judge granted Callaway visitation rights to see his now 3-year-old son, who lives with Callaway's parents in Blairsville.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
