Murder suspect claims he killed Trump, not UPS driver; mental evaluation ordered
ITHACA, N.Y. -- A 38-year-old man charged with killing a seasonal UPS driver in a Wal-Mart parking lot has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation after telling a judge he believed he killed President-elect Donald Trump.
Justin Barkley of Dryden appeared in Tompkins County Court on Monday to be arraigned for the murder of 52-year-old William Schumacher, who was shot shortly before 1 a.m. on Dec. 8 outside a Wal-Mart in Ithaca.
Defense lawyer James Baker says Barkley pleaded guilty to the indictment, but insisted he had shot and killed Trump, not Schumacher. Judge John Rowley declined to accept the plea and adjourned the indictment to Jan. 6, ordering an evaluation to determine if Baker is competent to stand trial.
Prosecutors say Barkley didn’t know Schumacher. Officials haven’t disclosed a motive.