Competency evaluation ordered for Smithfield man accused of killing his father

LOGAN — A mental evaluation has been ordered for Shane Hallstrom, to determine if the 25-year-old Smithfield man is competent to stand trial for allegedly killing his father.

Hallstrom stood silently in 1st District Court Monday afternoon next to his public defender Bryan Galloway, as Judge Kevin Allen said the court had received a competency evaluation request.

With that motion, Hallstrom will be diagnosed by doctors from the state hospital to determine if he understands the charges against him. The evaluation can take up to 60-days.

Galloway said he intended to request a separate evaluator to get a second opinion.

Hallstrom was arrested April 28 outside his Smithfield home after officers said he stabbed Calvin L. Hallstrom in the neck with a kitchen knife. The two had previously agreed to meet and spend the evening together, and try to repair their relationship.

Calvin was found lying at the entrance of the driveway, unconscious and bleeding heavily from the neck when officers and deputies arrived. He was transported to Cache Valley Hospital by ambulance where he was later pronounced dead. Shane was found kneeling near Calvin’s body. He was subdued and unwilling to speak to investigators. Officers later searched the home and found a three-inch long paring knife believed to be the murder weapon.

Hallstrom was booked into the Cache County Jail and later charged with 1st degree murder. He is being held without bail.

During Monday’s court appearance, Judge Allen said given the nature of the charges, he hoped the state hospital would expedite the evaluation. He ordered Hallstrom to appear again June 20.

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