A Bladenboro man charged with killing his father’s girlfriend in October at the home they all shared along N.C. 41 West is expected to have a hearing Wednesday to determine if he is competent to stand trial.
Marquail Allen Burney, 21, has been found not competent to stand trial following a court-ordered mental evaluation, his lawyer, Michael Willis, said Monday in Bladen County Superior Court.
Wednesday’s hearing will determine whether the court will agree with the doctor’s recommendation or that the case may proceed to trial.
Burney is being held on a first degree murder charge in the death of Crystal Dionne Cruz on Oct. 13. Cruz was the fiancee of Marquail Burney’s father, David Burney.
According to Bladen County Sheriff James McVicker, officers were called to the residence of David Burney about 11:37 p.m. on Oct. 13 after David Burney reported Cruz missing. David Burney told investigators that he had arrived home from work and thought Cruz was asleep in the bedroom. When he went to check, he noticed she was missing.
David Burney told investigators that his son, Marquail, had left the residence on foot after David Burney questioned him about Cruz’s disappearance, McVicker said.
After a search near the residence, Cruz’s body was found in a vehicle in the backyard, McVicker said.
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