A man facing 32 charges including for attempted first- and second-degree murder, will be evaluated by a doctor to determine competency.
Casey Dee Larsen of Mancos, who was wanted in connection with a burglary investigation, led police on a 50-mile chase March 10 from County Road 30 north of Dolores and to just east of Cortez. He allegedly swerved toward several law enforcement officers during the chase, including two Montezuma County deputies who were injured after jumping off the Colorado Highway 145 bridge in Dolores to avoid him.
At the request of Larsen’s public defender, John Moran, District Court Judge Doug Walker granted a competency evaluation, which will be done at the Montezuma County Detention Center.
Walker explained to Larsen that if found incompetent by doctors and the court, the criminal procedures would be suspended and he would be committed to the Colorado Department of Behavioral Services, Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, for a time not to exceed the maximum confinement sentencing terms of the charges.
If found competent, the court proceedings on his case would resume. Larsen has the right to seek his own expert on the question of his competency in addition to the court-appointed doctor. He also has the right to an evidential hearing to contest conclusions of the competency evaluator.
During commitment for incompetency, Larsen can request a hearing to determine whether he is competent, and if it is determined competency has been restored, criminal procedures will resume.
Larsen is being held on a $1 million bond for alleged criminal acts during the high-speed chase. Moran previously told the court that Larsen is a military veteran with a history of mental illness. The defense is working with Veterans Affairs on his history.
Charges filed against Larsen by 22nd District Attorney Will Furse include six counts of attempted first-degree murder, six counts of attempted second-degree murder, six counts of menacing, two counts of vehicular assault, six counts of vehicular eluding and six counts of obstructing a peace officer.
Larsen was charged with attempted first-degree and second-degree murder for each of the six law enforcement officers he allegedly threatened with his vehicle.
A court date of July 18 was set for a review of the competency evaluation results.
