LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The prison case towards the person accused of killing a Las Vegas police officer three years in the past will transfer ahead after a decide dominated him competent to face trial Friday.
Officer Truong Thai, a 23-year Metro police veteran, was responding to a home disturbance involving Tyson Hampton, 27, on Oct. 13, 2022, when Hampton allegedly shot him close to Flamingo Highway and College Heart Drive, police mentioned.
Hampton’s prison case has confronted delays amid a number of rounds of competency hearings. The suitable to a good trial — and the fitting to change into competent to face trial — is enshrined within the U.S. Structure as interpreted by courts. Basically, a defendant should perceive the fees towards them and be capable of help their legal professional.
Within the months after Hampton’s arrest, his attorneys wrote in courtroom paperwork that he refused to talk with them and didn’t bathe or sleep.
Tyson Hampton seems in courtroom on Oct. 14, 2022. (KLAS)
In January 2024, Clark County District Courtroom Decide Christy Craig first decided Hampton was incompetent to face trial, primarily based on medical doctors’ evaluations, sending him to a state facility. Six months later, Craig recommitted Hampton. Final spring, she decided Hampton was not but competent to face trial.
As a result of wait occasions, Hampton awaited his state-required psychiatric remedy for a mixed six months, paperwork mentioned. Hampton’s attorneys filed paperwork earlier this yr to have Craig dismiss the case on account of competency delays, however Craig dominated the difficulty moot after Hampton restarted remedy.
On Friday, Craig dominated Hampton competent to face trial primarily based on the newest medical doctors’ findings. The delay would quantity to almost two years in a state psychiatric facility.
Hampton was scheduled for a listening to within the homicide case on Oct. 9.
Hampton fired a complete of 18 rounds in the course of the capturing, police mentioned. Hampton’s mother-in-law was shot within the leg.
Because the 8 Information Now Investigators reported, Hampton confronted a gun-related cost two years earlier than the capturing and was identified to tug out his gun throughout confrontations, courtroom paperwork and police information mentioned.
Prosecutors mentioned they intend to hunt the demise penalty ought to a jury convict Hampton.
