PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A judge has ruled a woman accused of hitting and killing a Charlotte County deputy on I-75 in November is competent to stand trial.
Cassandra Smith is facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide. Deputies say while driving drunk, she hit and killed Deputy Christopher Taylor, who had only been on the force less than a year.
Smith's attorneys asked for the competency evaluation because of her courtroom behavior and her lack of understanding of the charges among other reasons. Her attorney said in February he cannot communicate with Smith as her physical and mental states are deteriorating.
Taylor's family says the evaluation is a way for her to potentially get out of the charges.
During the evaluation, a medical expert found she was competent and Smith agreed to these findings.
Smith is due back in court on May 25th at 1:30 p.m.
