Charlotte — A man’s trial in Mecklenburg County begins today on charges of first-degree murder that have persisted for over ten years.
Derek Ward is facing charges related to his cousin Brittini Ward’s death that occurred in May of 2010. Additionally, he is being accused of first-degree rape.
The victim, who is 23 years old, is suspected of being strangled by Ward.
Ward spent the better part of the last three years behind bars.
Ward has already been deemed incompetent to stand trial after psychiatrists and judge-ordered examinations assessed his mental competence.
Arrested in NW in March, a man from New York faces murder charges. CLT Ward has been incarcerated for fourteen years, and he has repeatedly said this in court while representing himself with a public defender serving as standby counsel.
During Monday’s court session, the judge probed Ward with several inquiries over his competency to stand trial.
Pretrial motions were the main focus of Monday morning’s proceedings in court. On Monday afternoon, the jury selection process began and will last through Tuesday.
Later on, after Brittini’s mother pled guilty to covering up her daughter’s death and completed a lengthy probationary period, a judge exonerated her after two years of prosecution.
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