BRUNSWICK, Ga. – One of three family members charged in the death of 6-year-old Christopher Barrios in 2007 was found incompetent to stand trial.
At a hearing Tuesday morning, both George Edenfield's lawyer and prosecutors agreed with the psychological evaluation that the convicted sex offender is not competent to stand trial.
Recommended Videos
Edenfield, his father and mother were all charged with rape and murder after Christopher's naked body was found stuffed in a garbage bag in March 2007.
David Edenfield, the father, has already been tried, convicted and sentenced to death. His wife, Peggy, has pleaded no contest to the charge and was expected to testify for the prosecution at her son's trial.
Video:
Police had described the younger Edenfield as mentally slow, but capable of understanding right from wrong. They have said he does not meet the legal definition of mentally retarded.
Sue Rodriguez, Christopher's grandmother, was upset that one of those accused of killing the boy will not go to trial.
"He's putting on a good act," Rodriguez said of Edenfield. "He's smart. He's got doctors thinking he's crazy, but I know better -- he's not crazy.
"If I had my way, I'd take care of the problem myself," Rodriguez said. "He did it, he obviously did it."
George Edenfield will be held in the custody of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and will be reevaluated in 90 days. Charges will not be dropped and if he is later deemed competent, he will stand trial.
If George Edenfield were to be convicted, he could face the death penalty.