Kentucky Doctor Rules Mother’s Accused Killer Competent for Trial, Defense Awaits Own Evaluation
MT. OLIVET, Ky. – A doctor at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center (KCPC) has steadfast Torilena Fields is competent to stand trial for the murder of her mother, Trudy. However, Fields’ defense team is still awaiting the results of their independent evaluation.
The critical determination of competency rests with the judge, who will consider reports from both the KCPC doctor and the defense’s hired expert. “The judge makes the final determination,” explained attorney Laura Fitzer during a status hearing in Robertson County circuit Court.”KCPC does do their report and says this is what we think as a doctor. Then we actually have our own independent doctor do an evaluation.”
Following the defense’s evaluation, a confidential hearing will be held. The judge will then weigh both assessments alongside the evidence presented in court before ruling on Fields’ fitness to proceed. The charges against Fields are severe, stemming from allegations that in October 2024, she shot, stabbed, and dismembered her mother, Trudy, subsequently placing the remains in a boiling pot.
Attorneys for both the defense and the commonwealth reviewed evidence collected in the case, much of which remains in a lab. Both sides were granted an additional month to process this evidence. Fields is scheduled to return to court on August 11 for another status hearing.
The prosecution’s case may face complexities due to Fields’ past. Family members report that Fields sustained a traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle accident in California. Furthermore, an expert in California had previously ruled her unable to stand trial for a less serious offense.
“I woudl think that California still exists,and I think our motion was pretty accurate and competency is still an issue,” Fitzer stated. “Ultimately, the judge will make the final determination, he determines if she’s competent, by law. We’ll have a full [confidential] hearing.”
The confidential hearing is not anticipated before the August status hearing, but fitzer indicated that the results of the defense’s evaluation would be available shortly.
