Ira Twp. man accused of murder found competent to stand trial

An Ira Township man accused of murder will proceed to his examination hearing later this month after he was found competent to stand trial. 

Stephen Traskal, 66, was found competent in a hearing before St. Clair County District Court Judge Michael Hulewicz on Oct. 13. 

Traskal is scheduled for an examination hearing at 9 a.m. Oct. 28 before Hulewicz.

Traskal's attorney, Michael Boucher, filed a request to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry for reviews of Traskal's competency and criminal responsibility in August. Boucher also filed a notice of insanity defense with the court. 

The findings of the review for criminal responsibility, which evaluates a person's ability to form the intent to commit a crime based on their mental state, has not yet been issued, Boucher said. 

Boucher said he will continue to explore insanity as a defense. He said he may retain an independent psychiatrist to review Traskal's criminal responsibility if he does not agree with the findings of the Center for Forensic Psychiatry. 

Traskal is charged with open murder, assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with a fatal stabbing in August.

He is being held on a $750,000 bond. If convicted, he faces life in prison.

Police responded to the 8500 block of Short Cut Road at about 8 p.m. on Aug. 14 to a reported stabbing.

Upon arrival, officers found a 54-year-old man lying in the yard. While tending to the man, officers were told a man and another victim were in the home, Clay Township police said. 

Carlene Nowlin, 77, was found inside the home, which was her residence. She died of her injuries. The 54-year-old victim is her son, police said.

Read more: Family mourns woman found fatally stabbed in Ira Twp.            

Traskal was taken into custody without incident. During the arraignment, St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Paul Soderberg said Traskal told police he had lived in the home for 20 years. 

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.