Competency hearing for man who allegedly killed teenager with “accidental” stabbing

MEDIA COURTHOUSE — Clifton Heights man’s competency hearing accused of murdering a teenager in Upper Darby Street last year for no apparent reason was scheduled for December.

Marson Weh, 24, of the 100 block of Willowbrook Road, is charged with first-degree murder and related offenses in the April 21, 2023, stabbing death of 15-year-old Michael Garr in the 200 block of Bridge Street.

An “accidental” act of violence

According to the preliminary information of the police:

Officers were called to the scene of the stabbing at 9:43 p.m. Officer Thomas Gardner found Garr on the sidewalk with a witness holding a towel around the teenager’s neck.

Garr went into cardiac arrest and died, despite the police saving his life. The arriving medics pronounced him dead at 9:56 p.m., and ruled the death a homicide.

The victim was walking home from his girlfriend’s house in Clifton Heights when he was attacked in the street.

Investigators said surveillance video showed the man, identified as Weh, followed Harr to where he was later found. One part of the video allegedly shows Whe being meters away from Garr at 9.40pm on Bridge Street, where he was fatally wounded.

Police noted the distinctive clothing the suspect was wearing and continued to monitor his movements after the stabbing on other surveillance cameras. One of these videos allegedly shows a clear image of the suspect’s face, which was matched to Ve using facial recognition technology.

Veh was arrested in Ohio in May on warrants for assault and carjacking and identified himself in a surveillance photo taken immediately after the killing.

He told detectives that he was out that night after getting into an argument with a girl he was dating.

Veh was wearing clothes with a brown stain on his thigh when he was taken into custody. A tissue cut from the stain was tested and allegedly matched Garr’s DNA sample.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsheimer said at a press conference announcing the murder charges that there was no motive for the killing and called it accidental.

Reinstated?

A person accused of criminal prosecution is considered incompetent if, due to mental illness or disorder, he is unable to understand the charges brought against him and the consequences of the proceedings and/or is unable to assist in his own defense.

Common Pleas Judge H. Michael Green declared Weh incompetent to stand trial in May after a brief hearing in which defense attorney Joseph Schultz and First Assistant District Attorney Tanner Rouse said two qualified psychologists had reached the same conclusion.

At the time, Rose and Schultz agreed that Veh should remain at Norristown State Hospital until he was restored to legal capacity so he could stand trial for Harr’s death.

According to Rouse, that time may have come.

Rose said Dr. Michael Gavetti, director of the competency program at Norristown, reviewed several exhibits provided by the commonwealth and issued a report Oct. 9 indicating that Veh is competent. He has since been returned to the county jail in Concord, Rose said.

Schultz requested a competency hearing, which was set for Dec. 6.