On Thursday morning, a Colbert County judge presided over a competency hearing for Brian Lansing Martin, who is accused of the murder of Sheffield Police Sgt. Nick Risner. This session was reported by WAAY 31. During the proceedings, Martin’s legal team contested the findings of a forensic evaluation conducted by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, which assessed his capability to stand trial. In response to the defense’s concerns, the judge allowed a period of 60 days for Martin to undergo an evaluation by an independent expert.
Additionally, Martin’s attorneys put forth a request for a jury trial to assess his competency, a move that was met with opposition from the state. Should the independent evaluation suggest that a competency trial is warranted, such a trial could potentially be scheduled for January 5-6, 2026. Currently, Martin is being held without bond on charges of capital murder, which stem from a shooting incident in Muscle Shoals in October 2021 that resulted in the deaths of Sgt. Risner and another individual. The prosecution is pursuing the death penalty in this case, and a gag order has been issued to restrict public commentary on the matter.
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