Crime & Safety

Man Accused in Hatchet Death Continues Treatment for Mental Issues

A Gaithersburg man was found not competent to stand trial on murder charges two months ago. Doctors are treating him in hopes that he will be able to stand trial.

A Montgomery County man charged with killing a man with a hatchet is being treated by doctors in hopes of making him mentally competent to stand trial, reports WJZ TV.

Claude A. Allen III was charged last May with killing a man with a hatchet outside his Gaithersburg home; two months ago he was found not competent for trial. That means he’s not able to help his attorney or understand the proceedings against him, the TV station reports.

His lawyer said Friday that doctors at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital are treating Allen with the goal of enabling him to stand trial.

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Allen’s father, also named Claude Allen, was a domestic policy adviser for George W. Bush.


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