A former University of Michigan student charged with murder for causing a fatal crash on US-23 last spring is heading to trial.
Michael Kelly, 21, formally waived his right to a preliminary hearing during a recent appearance in Washtenaw County District Court.
Andrew Abood, Kelly’s attorney, said he did so with the understanding from prosecutors that Kelly intends to plead not guilty by reason of insanity when the case moves to circuit court for a pre-trial hearing next month.
Abood said Kelly, who is schizophrenic, was in the midst of psychotic episode when he drove his vehicle across the median and into oncoming traffic shortly after 4 p.m. on March 12 in Pittsfield Township.
Brandon Rapp, 25, was driving one of the cars Kelly struck and died at the scene.
Doctors at the Forensic Center of Psychiatry in York Township initially deemed Kelly incompetent to stand trial, but found his condition improved after further treatment.
Kelly, of East Lansing, was enrolled at the University of Michigan at the time of the crash. Abood said Kelly is doing well and remains at the center pending his next hearing.
Art Aisner is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Michael Kelly, 21, formally waived his right to a preliminary hearing during a recent appearance in Washtenaw County District Court.
Andrew Abood, Kelly’s attorney, said he did so with the understanding from prosecutors that Kelly intends to plead not guilty by reason of insanity when the case moves to circuit court for a pre-trial hearing next month.
Abood said Kelly, who is schizophrenic, was in the midst of psychotic episode when he drove his vehicle across the median and into oncoming traffic shortly after 4 p.m. on March 12 in Pittsfield Township.
Brandon Rapp, 25, was driving one of the cars Kelly struck and died at the scene.
Doctors at the Forensic Center of Psychiatry in York Township initially deemed Kelly incompetent to stand trial, but found his condition improved after further treatment.
Kelly, of East Lansing, was enrolled at the University of Michigan at the time of the crash. Abood said Kelly is doing well and remains at the center pending his next hearing.
Art Aisner is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
