By Edward Lynn, Editor
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously Friday that an Eagle Grove man accused of murder is mentally unfit to face trial, and may never be.
Lukouxs Brown is charged with first-degree murder in the 2021 killing of his co-worker, 50 year old Wayne Smith of Fort Dodge, at the Prestage Pork plant, just outside of Eagle Grove. A district court had previously deemed Brown competent to stand trial.
The Iowa Supreme Court, however, determined that Brown may never regain the mental competency required for trial. The justices also concluded that the district court erred by permitting prosecutors to conduct a psychological evaluation after Brown had already been declared incompetent and was receiving treatment. According to the ruling, the state is only allowed to perform such evaluations during the initial competency assessment.
Additionally, the high court found the district court violated procedural rules by granting prosecutors unlimited time to secure an expert witness. This action breached the 14-day deadline mandated for holding a hearing in the case.
Prior to his arraignment, Brown informed his attorneys that he was hearing voices and had a history of hospitalization for schizophrenia.
