Mother Who Killed Is Ruled Incompetent

A mother who cut off her baby’s arms was ruled mentally incompetent Monday to stand trial on murder charges.

The jury’s verdict came after just minutes of deliberations in Dena Schlosser’s brief competency trial. Both the prosecution and the defense had requested that jurors find her incompetent so she could be treated at a mental hospital before standing trial.

Attorneys said they expected the judge to commit Schlosser to a state hospital today. She could still stand trial if she is someday found competent.

Schlosser, 36, was charged with murder Nov. 22 after she told a 911 operator she had severed her 10-month-old daughter’s arms. Police found Schlosser in the living room, covered in blood, still holding a knife and listening to a hymn.

She was later diagnosed with manic-depression.

In court, she sat slumped in her chair and stared straight ahead when the verdict was read, just as she did during most of the trial. Her wrists and ankles were shackled with black belts.

“We’re just glad that the jury saw it our way,” defense attorney David Haynes said. He said Schlosser was “overwhelmed ... and glad to have it over.”

Earlier Monday, a court-appointed psychiatrist testified that Schlosser suffered from manic-depression and may try to commit suicide. “She’s stated over and over that she wishes she’d been allowed to go with her daughter,” Dr. David Self said.