Attorney seeks mental health check for Oberlin killer

Daniel Jones' lawyer asked a judge to order a mental competency evaluation for the 31-year-old man charged with killing his parents in Oberlin.

Jenifer Berki Merrill filed the motion on Wednesday morning. She wrote that she has concerns about Jones' ability to assist meaningfully in his own defense. Merrill stated these concerns are based on interactions and information gathered during her representation of Jones.

Jones faces charges of murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence. The case involves the shooting deaths of his father, Pipo Nguyen-Duy, a professor at Oberlin College, and his stepmother, Tran Thi Phong.

The request follows a strange court appearance last week. Bailiffs carried Jones into the courtroom because he refused to walk on his own. During the arraignment, Jones alternated between crying and smiling at cameras.

Michael Benza, a professor at the Case Western Reserve School of Law, observed the proceedings. He noted that Jones' interactions with deputies suggested something was wrong. Body camera footage shows Jones claiming he was escaping a cult and bad people.

Prosecutor Zachary Simonoff told the court that Jones' mother told police he is currently psychotic and needs medication. Jones did answer the judge's questions during the hearing. He stated he is unemployed but works as a street musician. He also asked if he would have an attorney.

Benza said that answering questions does not automatically prove a defendant is fit for trial. A competency evaluation looks at the person's overall ability to understand the legal process and work with their lawyer. The Lorain County prosecutor's office and Merrill did not respond to requests for comment. Benza believes the judge will likely order the evaluation if Jones makes a credible showing of competency issues.