Man accused of hacking family to death found unfit for trial

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) - A 33-year-old New Hampshire man accused of hacking his mother and brother to death has been found unfit to stand trial.

The Concord Monitor reports (https://bit.ly/1SjOCwG) Shawn Carter of Belmont, was scheduled to have a competency hearing Thursday in Belknap County Superior Court.

Carter previously pleaded not guilty to first- and second-degree murder. He is accused of killing his 59-year-old mother, Priscilla Carter, and his 39-year-old brother, Timothy, in May 2013. Each suffered multiple chop wounds.

Prosecutors say the hearing was called off because Carter is currently incompetent. The state has up to a year to rehabilitate him. The charges will be dismissed if his rehabilitation is unsuccessful, and a judge would then determine his fate.

Prosecutors say Carter could receive treatment at the state prison’s secure psychiatric unit.

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Information from: Concord Monitor, https://www.cmonitor.com